Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit Bolsters Global Efforts for Sustainable Agriculture
Media Release
Over 2,000 agriculture stakeholders, from African Heads of Government and senior policymakers, to private-sector players, civil society organizations and small holder farmers, gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, from 7-9 May 2024, for the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSH24). The high-level three-day event sought to raise awareness and discuss viable solutions to the alarming decline in soil quality across the African continent and globally.
As leaders in this space, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) held a successful side event on "The Role of Soil Health in Multifunctional Landscapes and Climate Change," encouraging collaboration and stakeholder investment to strengthen policies, financing mechanisms, research and development efforts, and capacity building.
His Excellency Prof. Eyasu Elias, State Minister of Agriculture for Ethiopia, delivered a powerful keynote address highlighting the varying soil health and fertility concerns across African regions. He emphasized that soil degradation, particularly through erosion and nitrogen deficiency, remains a primary challenge on the continent and underscored the critical role of soil health in both agricultural success and the preservation of environmental services within multifunctional landscapes.
“Fertile soil is essential for agriculture, providing nutrients and a stable medium for plant growth,” stated Prof. Elias. "Soil fertility ensures sustainable food production and ecosystem services through supporting functions like carbon sequestration, water filtration, agriculture, carbon sequestration, hydrological balance, water management, biodiversity conservation, recreation, and building resilience to climate change."
The State Minister also pointed out that many nations grapple with the absence of comprehensive strategies to sustainably manage soil amid diverse land uses and a shifting climate. He stressed the importance of developing policies that promote integrated landscape management approaches across different land use systems, which are essential to guarantee the sustainable management of agricultural soils and offer a framework for tackling the intricate challenges related to soil health and resilience.
Dr Rebbie Harawa, Director of the Africa Program at ICRISAT, underpinned the importance of cultivating partnerships among private entities, public institutions, community organizations, donors, and investors. These collaborations should prioritize investments directed towards creating favorable policy environments, promoting sustainable finance mechanisms, advancing research and development initiatives, and bolstering capacity development efforts.
“Through strategic partnership and collaborative efforts, especially amongst the organizations represented here on this panel, we will accelerate research and development, transforming the recommendations of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit into tangible actions for healthy soils and a sustainable future," asserted Dr Harawa.
Speaking on regenerative food systems in transitioning landscapes, Dr Michael Misiko, Agriculture Director for Africa at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), emphasized the need for a shift towards regenerative practices, which are essential for addressing environmental degradation and promoting sustainability.
"Regenerative practices like agroforestry, cover cropping, crop rotation, and holistic grazing can play a pivotal role in restoring soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating the impacts of climate change," noted Dr Misiko. "Promoting the use of organic inputs such as biochar and compost, and adopting sustainable soil management practices are also critical for maximizing agricultural productivity while safeguarding soil health and resilience for the long term."
In his remarks, Dr Gizaw Desta, Senior Scientist at ICRISAT, also highlighted the benefits of regenerative practices, focusing on the enhanced resilience of agricultural ecosystems and greater productivity and profitability for farmers. "Integrating regenerative principles into food systems fosters social equity by bolstering local economies, encouraging community engagement, and ensuring food security amidst ongoing environmental challenges," noted Dr Desta.
The panel, which comprised of Dr Cargele Masso, One CGIAR Director for the Environmental Health and Biodiversity Platform; Dr Tilahun Amede, Director of Sustainable Farming, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, AGRA; Dr Lisa Tiemann, Associate Professor in Soil Biology, Alliance for African Partnership and Michigan State University; Dr Canon Engoke, Senior Scientist in Soil Science, APNI; and Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Director of the Global Research Program-Resilient Farm and Food Systems, ICRISAT, concluded the session by calling on various stakeholders to develop actionable strategies for promoting soil health and sustainable agriculture practices in a landscape approach backed with multidimensional monitoring indicators.
Key conclusions drawn from the event underscored the urgent need to adopt holistic approaches to soil and fertilizer health, recognizing them as essential foundations for achieving food security, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic prosperity.
Overall, the Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit played a crucial role as a platform for advancing global efforts to cultivate resilient agricultural systems and ensure the long-term health and productivity of soils.
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This work aligns with SDGs 2, 13 & 17.
About ICRISAT
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a pioneering International Organization committed to developing and improving dryland farming and agri-food systems to address the challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and environmental degradation affecting the 2.1 billion people residing in the drylands of Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and beyond.
About TNC
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world.
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