Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science

PHILOSOPHY 

Sustainable food security is widely discussed as a means to meeting the food demands of the ever-increasing global human population, which is estimated - by year 2050 - to reach 9.8 billion. Tied to food security is the concept of soil security –
“the ability for soil to sustain functions to provide planetary services and human wellbeing”. Guaranteeing soil security is touted as the sure pathway to enhanced food, fodder and fibre production and ensuring water quality while at the same time supporting human health, biodiversity and other ecosystem services. With the unprecedented pressure exerted on the soil resource, through practices such as agricultural intensification to meet global food, fibre and fodder demand and other materials obtained from the soil, and to forestall soil degradation; requires innovative and novel methods towards soil management. Highly trained and skilled manpower in the field of soil science is pivotal in developing better soil care and sustainable land-management.

The basic soil science curriculum is designed in such a manner that it provides detailed instruction on soil properties, soil physical, chemical, and biological  processes that occur in soils, and soil classification among others. At an advanced level such a PhD the soil has to be understood in the context of soil-water-
atmosphere-plant relationships and from an interdisciplinary perspective that focuses on soils as interactive, natural, and a core part of the earth’s terrestrial ecosystems.

This course aims at producing highly trained and skilled manpower capable of providing innovative technological approaches in the management of the soil resource, conducting high notch research, consultancy and advisory services in the
area of soil-water-plant-atmosphere nexus.

RATIONALE 
The programme prepares students to address the problems of soil degradation; decreased land productivity; waste management, water management, drought, and climate change to meet the increasing food needs of an ever-expanding world population. The increase in global population and climate change has necessitated the proper use of soil, water, and atmospheric resources. There is a scarcity of scientists holding an advanced degree in Soil Science and this is evidenced by the lack of the same at the universities, county and national governments’ departments of agriculture; non-governmental organizations and private companies; consulting firms, and national and international research institutions among others.

This underscores the need for graduates equipped with the knowledge and skills for sustainable management of the soil resource for enhanced food and nutrition security, and environmental health. The universities are central in contributing to the realization of the country’s development goals such as food security and agro-raw materials. Therefore there is a need for a responsive curriculum that will strengthen human capacity to meet the needs of the growing agricultural sector and the associated
emerging trends.