Emerging opportunities with organic and bio-organic fertilizers for soil health in Africa

The African Fertilizers and Soil Health Summit (AFSHS) was organised by the African Union and held from the 7th to the 9th of May 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, and online. It brought together all relevant stakeholders to highlight the crucial role of fertiliser and soil health in stimulating sustainable pro-poor productivity growth in African agriculture. Building on the discussions to held during the summit, African Heads of State and Government endorsed the African Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Action Plan and the Soils Initiative for Africa (SIA) that had been developed by the African Union Commission and consolidated in the Nairobi Declaration. The overall objective is to bolster agricultural sustainability and enhance smallholder farmer livelihoods by improving access and affordability of certified quality organic and inorganic fertilisers across the continent. 

The European Union convened a parallel session in collaboration with DeSIRA LIFT and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to provide a platform for stakeholders ranging from farmers and researchers to policymakers and industry leaders to exchange knowledge and drive forward the agenda for sustainable agriculture in Africa. They raised awareness on the realities and potential of off-farm organic fertilisers and biofertilisers in Africa. Further, pathways to boost the production and use of organic fertilisers and biofertilisers to address soil health and food production productivity were identified. The results of the scoping study on exploring the off-farm production, marketing and use of organic and biofertilisers in Africa (March 2024) were shared. This was then followed by a panel discussion comprising researchers, development partner and private sector representatives.