Stakeholders chart path to sustainable Agriculture

Stakeholders and Policy makers in Africa said implementation of actions against pressing challenges facing agriculture in the continent will open more opportunities in securing the sector’s future.

They made this assertion at the roundtable on the African Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP) and the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA), co-hosted by the Coalition of Implementers for Fertilisers and Soil Health (CIFSH) and Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), in partnership with the Joint Development Partners, in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Executive Director, Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI), Antony Chapoto, noted that with widespread soil degradation threatening food security across the continent, it has become expedient to move beyond declarations to implementing concrete actions that would lead to healthier soils and enhanced food production.

“To truly transform Africa’s agricultural landscape, we must move beyond mere declarations and commit to concrete, localised actions. This requires African-led initiatives that engage all stakeholders and address local needs. It’s time for increased investment in Research & Development and the development of a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning system,” he said.

Chapoto advocated for streamlined efforts to ensure that resources are directed efficiently and effectively at the national level, stating that meaningful progress and a sustainable future for the continent’s food systems can only be achieved through these measures.

The discussions highlighted the urgent need to shift from dependency on donor funding to mobilising domestic resources.  They also stressed that sustainable agricultural transformation in Africa can only be achieved if African governments and institutions take the lead by committing national resources, engaging high-level government officials, and ensuring policy alignment with local needs, then, the continent can drive meaningful progress in soil health initiatives.

President and CEO, International Fertiliser Developmental Centre (IFDC), Henk van Duijn, representing CIFSH, said: “At the heart of Africa’s agricultural transformation is our most critical resource — soil. The discussions in Kigali have underscored the urgent need to move beyond declarations and focus on coordinated actions that restore and sustain soil health.”

The Director, Climate Adaptation, Sustainable Agriculture and Resilience, AGRA, Prof Tilahun Amede, speaking on the need for strategic partnership, emphasised the importance of localised solutions, strengthened farmer’s innovation and last-mile delivery.

“The challenges are big and would not be solved by one institution. By working together, we can unlock the continent’s agricultural potential and ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for all,” he said.

They also highlighted the importance of collaborating with insurance and financing institutions to provide the financial backing necessary to sustain long-term efforts.