Kenya’s Nyeri County is in the middle of its worst drought in living memory. However in Chaka, farmer Joseph Gitonga has been applying RevivaSoil rock dust for more than 2 years on many different crops including pasture land and getting very good results.

Fig 1 – Pasture with RevivaSoil
Fig 2 -Pasture without RevivaSoil

RevivaSoil not only increases the volume but also increases the mineral content in the grass so making it a much better ration for the cattle as well as improving soil health.

As part of the farm’s diversification some maize was planted on 6th April 2023 with an application of RevivaSoil (application rate 2 tons per acre). It grew very vigorously until the rain ceased in mid-June much earlier than expected.

Fig 3 – Photo taken May 21st 2023
Fig 4 – Photo taken July 20th 2023

By mid-July the maize had completely dried up and could only be used for cattle feed. Although dry it retains the extra minerals resulting which greatly helps the animals maintain they healthy condition.

In addition the cattle have a choice of 2 buckets of drinking water

Bucket A – contains just clean water

Bucket B – contains clean water and RevivaSoil (water is stirred). The cattle can choose which bucket to drink from and if they require extra minerals choose Bucket B.

Fig 5 – Preparation
Fig 6 – Cow happily drinking clean water + RevivaSoil

They have the ability to sense the minerals in the water!

Approx. 1 kg of RevivaSoil is added to a full bucket of water which cow drinks over the next 2-3 days.

Fig 7 – Current status of pasture land but look at the healthy cow! (Photo taken 15/8/2023).

Cow remains in good condition thanks to the dried maize + water & RevivaSoil.

5th September 2023 – Update

Fig 8 – Neighbour’s pasture field – young cow is deteriorating fast!
Fig 9 – Cow with dried maize – Cow is still producing milk.

Rains not expected until early October 2023!