Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit
The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSH) is currently underway to offer a comprehensive review of the state of soil health on the continent and the use of fertilizers. The Summit, an initiative of the African Union, is being held in Nairobi, Kenya from the 7th-9th May 2024, under the theme “Listen to the Land”. It seeks to review the progress made since previous commitments by African leaders to boost fertilizer use for agricultural growth in Africa. Over 40 countries are below the target 50 kg (nutrients) per hectare, set at the first AFSH held in Abuja in 2006, with most averaging at 18 kilograms per hectare.
Importance of Sustainable Development Goals
The discussions by various stakeholders have emphasized the urgency of paying attention to the needs of the land in terms of soil nutrients, soil moisture, essential minerals, soil organisms, impact of climate change; and adopting regenerative practices, policies and approaches that will improve the long-term value of land as a critical asset for farmers. The stakeholders evaluated the existing policies, programs and institutional structures for effective soil management system to improve and maintain soil fertility on the continent.
Sustainable Strategies for Food Security
The summit is convened at a time millions of Africans across the continent are facing severe food and nutrition deficiencies, thus providing an opportunity for policy makers, scientists, farmers, the private-sector, development agencies, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and scholars to reflect on long-term and sustainable strategies of innovative avenues to feed the growing African population.
Key Declarations and Commitments
- The Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in Africa adopted in 2003, where member states committed to allocate at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture and rural development policy implementation by 2008.
- The Abuja Declaration adopted in 2006, which underscored the importance of increased fertilizer use to stimulate agricultural productivity growth to end hunger and poverty in Africa to realize the African Green Revolution.
- The Malabo Declaration adopted in 2014 where African leaders declared their commitment to end hunger in Africa by 2025.
- The declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, which focused on doubling agricultural production levels by 2025.
- The Soil Initiative for Africa in September 2020, where the African Union issued a call for a long-term effort to systematically improve the health and productivity of Africa’s soils by scaling proven and locally adapted technologies, including balanced and efficient (inorganic and organic) fertilizer application.
Statements from Key Figures
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, of Mauritania, and Chairperson of the African Union Executive Council stressed that agriculture is the cornerstone of Africa’s future and sovereignty in the face of pervasive globalization. He called for synergy of mechanization, supply chain, environmental stewardship, and human resource excellence.
H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission observed that the impact of COVID-19 coupled with the conflict in Ukraine, the multiple conflicts on the continent, and climate change, have affected the agricultural production and economic growth of African countries.
Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and Chair of the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment, underscored the urgency to pay attention to soils, to understand them and what they need, and to manage them better for current and future generations.
Hon. Mithika Linturi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development observed that soil fertility depletion is a fundamental root cause of declining per capita production arising from continuous mining of soil nutrients, inappropriate farming practices including use of blanket fertilizer recommendations which have led to a decline in crop productivity, food insecurity, and low return to agricultural investment and environmental degradation.
H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, noted that despite multiple efforts, Africa falls short of the Abuja Declaration targets on fertilizer consumption which has only risen from 8kg/ha to below 25 kg/ha since 2006, far below the 50kg/ha target.
Outcomes of the Summit
The joint ministerial session of ministers of agriculture and foreign affairs held on 8th May 2024, which was preceded by an experts’ session on 7th May 2024, reviewed the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit ‘Nairobi Declaration’ which will be adopted by Heads of State and Government on 9th May 2024. Other outcomes of the summit will include the a 10-year Fertilizer Action Plan; a Soil Initiative for Africa document; and a Mechanism to finance the Action Plan. The ratification of the African Initiative on Soil Health and the ten-year plan for fertilizers and soil health will mark a pivotal stride towards a green revolution across Africa, laying the groundwork for an agricultural renaissance.
For details of the AFSH, visit Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Summit 2024 | African Union (au.int). To share your thoughts, opinions and comments, use the hashtags #ListenToTheLand #SoilHealth #AFSH24 #Agenda2063.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact:
- Mr. Molalet Tsedeke | Directorate of Information and Communication; African Union Commission | E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org | Tel: +251 11 518 2014/ +251 11 5182518 | Mobile: +132022159152
- Ms. Doreen Apollos | Directorate of Information and Communication; African Union Commission | E-mail: ApollosD@africa-union.org
- Mrs Wynne Musabayana| Head of Communication | African Union Commission | email: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the issues of soil health, fertilizer use, agricultural productivity, food security, and environmental sustainability. These issues are directly connected to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the article mentions the impact of climate change and the need for responsible consumption and production, which are relevant to SDG 12 and SDG 13. The focus on soil health and the importance of maintaining the long-term value of land align with SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
- Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are related to sustainable food production systems, resilient agricultural practices, reduction of food waste, climate resilience, and land restoration.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include:
- Average fertilizer use per hectare: The article mentions that over 40 countries are below the target of 50 kg (nutrients) per hectare set at the first Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in 2006, with most averaging at 18 kilograms per hectare. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 2.4.
- Fertilizer consumption per hectare: The article lists the fertilizer consumption rates of different African countries, indicating their progress towards the Abuja Declaration target of 50 kg/ha. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 2.4.
- Soil fertility loss: The article mentions that fertility loss is estimated at 80 kg of nutrients per hectare per year. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 15.3.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | – Average fertilizer use per hectare – Fertilizer consumption per hectare |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses. | – N/A |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – N/A |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | – Soil fertility loss |
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Fuente: au.int
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