AFSHS seeks sustainable solutions to agricultural productivity

Industry players from across Africa recently gathered in Nairobi for a pivotal event—the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSHS). Against the backdrop of pressing agricultural challenges and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, this summit served as a beacon of hope, offering a platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration. In this feature article, we delve into the key themes, discussions, and outcomes of this significant gathering, exploring the potential to transform Africa’s agricultural landscape through enhanced soil health and fertilizer management.

Africa’s agricultural sector stands at a critical juncture, facing a multitude of challenges that threaten food security, livelihoods, and economic development. Among these challenges, soil degradation emerges as a pressing concern, exacerbated by factors such as climate change, unsustainable land management practices, and population growth.

Degraded soils not only diminish agricultural productivity but also contribute to environmental degradation and rural poverty, underscoring the urgency of addressing soil health issues. Soil degradation casts a shadow over Kenya’s agricultural landscape, jeopardizing food security, livelihoods, and environmental stability. As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable development, Kenya stands at a crossroads, facing the imperative to address this pressing issue before it spirals out of control.

Soil degradation, encompassing processes such as erosion, nutrient depletion, and contamination, is driven by a myriad of factors, including deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, urbanization, and climate change. In Kenya, where agriculture serves as the backbone of the economy, the repercussions of soil degradation are acutely felt by millions of smallholder farmers who rely on the land for their sustenance and income.

Experts have vouched at the policy level to enhance land governance frameworks, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and incentivizing sustainable land use practices as crucial steps towards reversing the tide of soil degradation. Investing in research and innovation, harnessing digital technologies, and fostering collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and the private sector are essential for scaling up sustainable land management initiatives and ensuring their long-term impact.

The widespread lack of access to appropriate fertilizers further compounds these challenges, limiting farmers’ ability to replenish soil nutrients and optimize crop yields. In many regions, smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Africa’s agricultural sector, struggle to access affordable, high-quality fertilizers, hindering their potential to improve productivity and break the cycle of poverty.

Against this backdrop, the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSHS) convened stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and civil society to explore innovative strategies for enhancing soil health and fertilizer use across the continent. The agenda encompassed a diverse array of topics, ranging from policy frameworks and market dynamics to technological innovations and farmer empowerment initiatives.

“It is important to recognize that, we cannot achieve our aspiration of eliminating hunger and poverty if we do not take a sustainable approach to soil health, prudent use of agricultural inputs, environmental conservation, and embracing of technologies that can make our production systems efficient and effective. The realization of this important goal will ensure that as we feed ourselves, we also leave an environment where our generations can be able to sustain themselves,” noted Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during the Summit.

At the heart of the AFSHS summit discussions were policy imperatives aimed at catalyzing transformative action in the agricultural sector. Participants emphasized the need for comprehensive policy frameworks that prioritize soil health and fertilizer management, integrating sustainable practices into national agricultural strategies.

Key recommendations reached during the AFSHS included the establishment of supportive regulatory environments, investment incentives for fertilizer production and distribution, and targeted subsidies to improve smallholder farmers’ access to fertilizers.

Access to affordable fertilizers emerged as a central theme, with stakeholders exploring innovative approaches to enhance market dynamics and distribution channels. Discussions centered on strategies to reduce fertilizer costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and promote the adoption of appropriate fertilizers tailored to local soil conditions and crop needs. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as input credit schemes and digital platforms, were highlighted as promising tools to facilitate farmer access to fertilizers while promoting financial inclusion.

“Though fertilizers are estimated to contribute more than thirty percent of the crop yield, we have witnessed in our country that fertilizer alone cannot sustain increased agricultural productivity and production. For example, observations have been made that maize yields have stagnated despite increased fertilizer use. This has resulted in input bundling, emphasis on balanced nutrition, and soil sampling and testing,”  Mudavadi noted.

Technology played a pivotal role in shaping AFSHS summit discussions, with a focus on harnessing scientific innovations to optimize fertilizer use and soil management practices. From precision agriculture and soil testing technologies to remote sensing and digital advisory services, participants explored a myriad of tools and approaches to enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact.

The potential of data-driven insights and artificial intelligence to inform decision-making and tailor interventions to local contexts garnered significant attention, signaling a shift towards more evidence-based and adaptive approaches.

Central to the summit’s vision was the empowerment of smallholder farmers as agents of change in Africa’s agricultural transformation journey. Recognizing the pivotal role of farmer knowledge and capacity-building initiatives, participants emphasized the importance of extension services, farmer training programs, and knowledge-sharing platforms in promoting sustainable soil management practices and fertilizer use. Farmer-centered approaches, rooted in participatory decision-making and co-creation of solutions, were championed as essential for ensuring the relevance and effectiveness of interventions at the grassroots level.

As the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit AFSHS drew to a close, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to advancing the agenda of soil health and fertilizer management across the continent. Key outcomes included the formulation of actionable recommendations for policymakers, the forging of partnerships between diverse stakeholders, and the mobilization of resources to support on-the-ground initiatives. Looking ahead, the summit’s legacy lies in its capacity to catalyze collective action and drive tangible progress towards a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural future for Africa.

“The Soil Health conversation is unique in all countries the world over given that we all have to feed our people. I am glad that our experts in Kenya have participated in the development of the Soil Health Initiative and 10-year Action Plan under different platforms and appreciate the leadership of the AUDA, NEPAD, and AUC.

“Soil fertility depletion has been cited as the fundamental root cause of declining per capita production arising from continuous mining of soil nutrients, inappropriate farming practices including the use of blanket fertilizer recommendations,” noted Hon. Mithika Linturi, the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development during his opening remarks.

In the fertile soil of Nairobi’s conference halls, the seeds of change were sown at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSHS). As stakeholders from across the continent came together to confront the challenges of soil degradation and fertilizer access, they also unearthed opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and empowerment.

With a shared vision and concerted effort, Africa stands poised to cultivate a brighter future, where healthy soils nourish thriving communities and sustainable agriculture flourishes. The journey ahead may be arduous, but the harvest of progress awaits those who dare to cultivate it.

“Regarding fertilizer, we have committed to tripling domestic production and distribution of both organic and inorganic fertilizers, ensuring they reach 70% of small-holder farmers across the continent,” he said.

Additionally, we have pledged to enhance access to and affordability of fertilizer for smallholder farmers, providing them with targeted agronomic recommendations tailored to specific crops, soils, and climatic conditions. This aims to promote greater efficiency and sustainable use of fertilizers.

Concerning Soil Health, we have committed to reverse land degradation and restore soil health on at least 30% of degraded soil by 2033,” said President Ruto at the close of the Summit.