Human activities threaten soil fertility in Pader, local leaders warn

2 January 2026, 8:57 pm

By Golden Vicky Ayiro

Local leaders in Pader District have raised alarm over human activities that are contributing to declining soil fertility, posing a threat to agricultural productivity.

Among the activities cited are bricklaying, commonly done between December and March, and large-scale tree cutting.  These practices, officials say, are stripping the soil nutrients and leaving land bare, making it more vulnerable to extreme heat and climate-related challenges.

Other activities cited also include the use of heavy machinery, monocropping, and excessive pesticide and fertilizer use which degrades soil quality, pollutes water sources and contributes to biodiversity loss.

Cultural Chief Rwot P’otongo Kasimiro Ongom attributed the degradation to a negative mindset toward the environment. “People have a tendency to cut down large numbers of trees without replacing them,” he said. “Afforestation and reforestation are key to greening our environment, promoting rainfall, and ensuring high crop yields.”

On the practice of bricklaying, the Chief lamented that in the past, farmland was respected, and only crop cultivation was allowed. “Today, land is used for activities that harm its fertility,” he added. While acknowledging that burnt bricks contribute to durable house construction, Rwot Kasimiro expressed concern that the topsoil removed during bricklaying is non-renewable and does not easily decompose, leaving farmland permanently degraded.

The Pader District Production Officer, Sydou Adolatono, advised residents to restrict bricklaying to areas no longer used for farming. “The pits left behind can also collect water for crop irrigation,” he said, urging the public to plant and replant trees to restore the environment.

Experts warn that without immediate corrective measures, the district risks long-term declines in agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.