In Eastern Africa, reduced soil fertility has led to declining crop yields on many small‑scale farms causing food insecurity and greater poverty. Throughout the region, soils are generally low in nitrogen and phosphorus – which are essential for crops to grow well. Soil fertility can be increased by the use of chemical fertilizers but these are too expensive for many farmers and are not always available. A more affordable alternative is to make your own good-quality compost, using waste materials from your farm and household. The following shows you how to make better quality compost, called enriched compost, which has higher organic matter and contains more nutrients. The use of enriched compost will enable you to increase your crop yields without applying costly chemical fertilizers.