The 2024 Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit Paved a Path for an Organic Africa.
The 2024 Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, held from May 7–9 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme Listen to the Land, brought together key stakeholders to emphasize the critical role of soil health and fertility in driving sustainable, pro-poor productivity growth in African agriculture.
This significant event attracted high-profile attendees, including heads of state such as H.E. Dr. William Ruto, President of Kenya, H.E. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, H.E. Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi, H.E. Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, President of Namibia, and H.E. Faustine Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic.
Additionally, 57 ministers of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs, and over 4,000 participants including scientists, private sector representatives, development organization leaders, civil society members, and farmer organization heads engaged in discussions to enhance the nutritional value of Africa’s agricultural soils.
The summit’s goal was for African Union countries to agree on an African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan. The Nairobi Declaration, a key summit outcome, articulated vital discussions among African leaders. It focused on fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships and investments to drive policies, finance, research and development, markets, and capacity building for fertilizer and sustainable soil health management across Africa. This declaration represents a critical milestone in Africa’s journey towards sustainable agricultural practices and improved soil health.
From an organic perspective, the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit exceeded expectations. While some anticipated a strong push from synthetic fertilizer manufacturers, the focus remained largely on promoting organic solutions. The Nairobi Declaration outlined several commitments towards an organic future, such as promoting organic agricultural practices, strengthening research and development of organic fertilizers, and providing incentives for the local production, utilization, and recycling of organic resources.
This commitment reflects a growing recognition of the benefits of organic farming in improving soil health and agricultural productivity. The Nairobi Declaration includes the following key obligations for an organic Africa:
- #PROMOTION: A commitment to promote organic agriculture practices to improve soil health alongside conventional agriculture.
- #PRODUCTION: Commitment to triple domestic production and distribution of certified quality organic and inorganic fertilizers by 2034 to improve access and affordability for smallholder farmers.
- #RESEARCH: Strengthen research and development on utilizing organic and inorganic fertilizers by resuscitating the African Centre for Fertilizer Development.
- #RECYCLING: Provide incentives for local production, utilization, and recycling of organic resources.
- #ESTABLISHING: Small and medium (SME) ventures, especially by youth and women, oriented to producing and distributing organic and inorganic fertilizers.
- #FINANCING: A commitment to fully operationalize the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM) to improve organic and inorganic fertilizers’ production, procurement, and distribution.
Prominent leaders at the summit voiced strong support for organic fertilizers and acknowledged the limitations of synthetic fertilizers. Here are some insightful quotes from the summit:
H.E. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe:
“My Government continues to implement ‘The Agricultural, Food, Systems, and Rural Transformation Strategy’ which, among other aspects, prioritizes improved policies, investment, finance, and markets for fertilizer and soil health management. Additionally, access to and affordability of organic fertilizers for sustainable soil management practices and interventions are being broadened.”
H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, E.G.H, Prime Cabinet Secretary, Kenya:
“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.”
HON. Mithika Linturi, CS, Agriculture, and Livestock Development, Kenya:
“The current soil fertility replenishment strategy is based on integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices which advocate the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers for balanced nutrient fertilization.”
H.E. Russell Mmiso Dlamini, Prime Minister, Kingdom of Eswatini:
“The reliance (on synthetic fertilizers) has led to a decline in soil health underscoring the need to strike a balance between synthetic and organic fertilizers. By investing in research and the development of mechanized equipment and technologies for organic fertilizer application, we can facilitate the transition to sustainable farming practices.”
Teodoro Nguema Obiang, VP of Equatorial Guinea:
“This Summit is necessary so that the African Union could take note and assess the Malabo Declaration after 10 years of implementation. Achieving the health of soil and then sustainable soil, we need to replace the fertilizer we use with organic fertilizer and that should be necessary in all member states.”
H.E. Faustine Archange Touadera, President of Central African Republic:
“Organic fertilizer produced at the family level is used for the restoration of degradable land and this should be encouraged. This fertilizer, which is complementary to chemical fertilizers, has a low impact on human life and is used in Central Africa as a way of promoting local production in livestock and agriculture.”
H.E. Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi:
“Studies show that in the parts of Malawi where the gains have not been registered, the effectiveness of inorganic fertilizer plummeted by approximately 70% between 2014 and 2022 due to soil degradation, which is worsened by climate change impacts like cyclones and droughts. We have therefore realized that adding nutrients through the use of chemical fertilizers is not adequate for increasing crop productivity and reducing hunger and food insecurity.”
H.E. Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, President of Namibia:
“A balanced approach to soil fertilizer management is essential. Integrating mineral fertilizer with organic inputs, conservation agricultural practices, and agroecological principles promotes a sustainable agricultural system that meets both current and future food needs without compromising the health of the environment.”
The 2024 Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices. By fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships and investing in research, development, and capacity building, African leaders are paving the way for a resilient agricultural future that puts organic and sustainable farming systems at the forefront ensuring food security and environmental sustainability across the continent
