The Dirt Beneath Everything: Why Africa’s Soil Crisis Is Bigger Than We Think | Soinato Leboo

Imagine two farmers.They grow the same crop.In the same region.They receive similar rainfall, buy similar seed and apply similar fertilizer.Yet one consistently harvests more, spends less and survives difficult seasons far better than the other.Why?The answer often lies beneath their feet.In this episode of The Yield, host Zanele Hlatshwayo sits down with Soinato Leboo, Co-Founder of Rhea, a Kenyan AgriTech company helping farmers make better decisions through faster, more accessible soil intelligence.Together, they explore one of the most overlooked topics in African agriculture: soil health.From declining fertility and degraded soils to the role of microbes, organic matter and data-driven farming, this conversation examines why soil may be the single most important asset on any farm—and one of the least understood.Soinato shares insights from working with farmers across Africa, building agricultural technology solutions and helping producers move from guesswork to informed decision-making. The discussion also explores regenerative agriculture, soil testing, fertilizer use, climate resilience and the practical steps farmers can take today to build healthier, more productive farms.If you’re a farmer, agribusiness owner, investor, researcher or simply interested in the future of African food systems, this episode will change the way you think about what lies beneath the surface.In This Episode• Why soil health remains one of the most overlooked topics in agriculture• The hidden factors behind farm productivity and profitability• What healthy soil actually looks like• Why some farms consistently outperform others• The role of soil biology, microbes and organic matter• Common misconceptions about fertilizer and soil fertility• How technology is changing soil testing and farm decision-making• Practical steps farmers can take to improve soil health today• Why soil health matters for Africa’s food security futureKey Takeaways• Healthy soil is one of the strongest predictors of long-term farm performance.• Fertilizer alone cannot solve every productivity challenge.• Soil biology plays a critical role in nutrient availability and plant health.• Better data leads to better farming decisions.• Soil restoration is both an environmental and business opportunity.About the GuestSoinato Leboo is the Co-Founder of Rhea, a Kenyan AgriTech company focused on improving soil intelligence for farmers. Through a combination of portable diagnostics, technology and farmer-centered advisory services, Rhea helps producers better understand their soils, improve productivity and make more informed management decisions.Her work sits at the intersection of agriculture, innovation and sustainability, with a focus on helping farmers unlock better outcomes through data-driven decision-making.About The YieldThe Yield is a podcast exploring the stories, businesses, markets and ideas shaping the future of African agriculture.Hosted by Zanele Hlatshwayo — investor, farmer and storyteller — the show brings together farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and industry leaders to discuss the opportunities, challenges and innovations transforming food systems across the continent.New episodes every week.ConnectFollow The Yield for weekly conversations on farming, agribusiness, investment and the future of African agriculture.Instagram: @theyield.africaLinkedIn: The Yield AfricaWhatsApp Community: Join The Yield community for insights, opportunities and conversations from across African agriculture.Connect with The YieldSubscribe for new episodes exploring the future of African agriculture.Follow The Yield:Instagram: @theyieldafricaLinkedIn: The Yield AfricaYouTube: The Yield AfricaWhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDJYD011ulPjxJCiv3OHosted by Zanele Hlatshwayo, investor, farmer, and storyteller.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone passionate about agriculture, agribusiness, and Africa's future.Because when Africa grows, the world thrives.