Khadijah Aliyu-Nigeria
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), an organization committed to soil protection and sustainable agriculture, has organized a webinar for African journalists under the health and environment promotion network, REMAPSEN, as part of activities marking this year’s World Soil Day.
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The virtual event, themed “Healthy Soils for a Resilient Future: Transforming Evidence, Partnerships and Inclusion into Action,” spotlighted the growing threat of soil degradation across Africa and its implications for food security.
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Experts noted that the continent is grappling with declining soil health caused by erosion, climate change, poor farming practices, and nutrient depletion.
A soil fertility specialist with years of experience working across Africa, Prof. Eric Smaling, stressed the need for integrated soil fertility management practices.
He explained that combining manure with fertilizer is essential to replenishing depleted soils and restoring productivity.
Prof. Smaling called for the development of farmer-centered technological solutions that ensure the sustainable use of soils.
He highlighted Zai technology, a method widely used in parts of West Africa, which involves digging holes and filling them with manure to improve soil structure and moisture retention—particularly effective in hardened plinthite areas.
He emphasized the crucial role of youth involvement and private sector engagement in scaling up such innovations.
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“Investing in young people in these technologies is no doubt the best way to escalate adoption, and it can also become a source of livelihood for them,”
Also speaking, IFDC Deputy Director for Partnerships, Nassourou Diallo, underscored the importance of resilience-building for smallholder farmers, especially women, who form a significant share of food producers in Africa.
“Improving the resilience of smallholder farmers—particularly women—is vital, as they are central to farming and food production,”
Diallo pointed to countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which continue to adapt despite unprecedented climate challenges.
Citing recent data, participants noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy. According to the country’s 2024 National Population and Housing Census, Uganda’s population of 45.9 million depends heavily on agriculture, with the sector supporting over 70% of citizens, especially in rural areas. Agriculture contributes 24% to GDP,42% to exports, and employs 61% of households—most of them subsistence farmers.
Experts warned that soil degradation poses a severe threat to such an economy, stressing that restoring soil health through minimum tillage, mulching, and irrigation is essential for sustaining food production.
Uganda has adopted a Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy, enabling farmers across more than 100 districts to implement sustainable land management practices such as permanent planting basins, terracing, and small-scale irrigation to rebuild soil health and strengthen livelihoods.
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Participants concluded that restoring and protecting Africa’s soils is no longer optional but a necessity for achieving food sovereignty and building resilient rural communities.
Some contributors also emphasized that inorganic fertilizers require proper application and recommended quantities to avoid further damaging the soil and to ensure sustainability for future generations.