Headline : Africa: Unlocking the Potential of Africas Soils for a Food Secure Continent

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Africa is the only continent endowed with natural ingredients that can easily be used to greatly expand agricultural production. Africa has 60 percent of the world's available arable land, the largest share globally, and suitable for agricultural production expansion, and abundant untapped water resources. Agriculture is the source of livelihood for 70 percent of the population on the continent. The African Union Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) adopted in 2003, is Africa's policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all.

CAADP advocates for member states to place emphasis on African ownership and African leadership to set the agricultural agenda and the stage for agricultural change. African governments are expected to increased investment level in agriculture by allocating at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture and rural development, and to achieve agricultural growth rates of at least 6% per annum. Over the years, African leaders have committed to prioritize food security, a commitment reinforced through the development of Africa's Common Position on Food Systems, to help deliver on targets of the African Union's Agenda 2063 which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

The convening of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit is therefore timely for a comprehensive review of the state of Africa's soil health to recalibrate the strategies being deployed to boost the productivity of soils towards higher and sustainable gains in crop yields, economic growth, and the overall well-being of the African citizenry. The Summit hosted in Nairobi, Kenya from the 7th -9th May 2024, is held under the theme "Listen to the Land" which seeks to evaluate the state of Africa's soil health, while reviewing the progress made since previous commitments by African leaders to boost fertilizer use for agricultural growth in Africa. The theme is a Call to Action for stakeholders to pay attention to the needs of the land in terms of soil nutrients, soil moisture, essential minerals, soil organisms, impact of climate change, and consider adopting regenerative practices, policies and approaches that will improve the long term value of land as a critical asset for farmers. The goal is to unlock the potential of Africa feeding Africa, and Africa feeding the world.

In June 2006, the Heads of State and Governments of the African Union endorsed the Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer for the Africa Green Revolution, a continental strategy to reverse the worrying trend of poor productivity of the African soils. The Declaration focused on key targets required for agricultural growth, food security, and rural development in Africa, with a focus on the role of fertilizers. It recommended raising the use of fertilizers from 8 kg/(nutrients) per hectare to 50 kg (nutrients) per hectare in 10 years, and the establishment of an African Fertilizer Financing Mechanism to improve agricultural productivity by providing financing required to boost fertilizer use in Africa as mandated in the Abuja Declaration.

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