SASi-SPi shared findings about fertilizers and soil health at InfoPoint Conference in Brussels

African policymakers are undeniably grappling with these immense challenges as they determine the types of intensification suited to each context and explore diverse strategies to feed a growing population better.

During this InfoPoint Hybrid Conference SASi-SPi shared preliminary findings of an ongoing study that uses a systemic approach to improve the use of fertilizers and soil health conditions, with a focus on the following issues:

• While integrating agroecological approaches with synthetic inputs is the most promising pathway the optimal combination of fertilizer use and agroecological practices depends on local soil conditions. Agroecological practices are all the more necessary as the soil is degraded.
• The average productivity of fertilizer is greater in Africa than in the rest of the world because the average dose of fertilizer is much lower than elsewhere. Using more fertilizer in Africa and less in other continents would yield aggregate productivity gains and environmental benefits.
• The key driver for increased and sustained productivity is the effective demand for food and its impact on crop profitability which ensures the incentives for farmers to invest in soil health and fertilizer. Therefore, supporting food demand and improving its connection with local or regional food supply through investment in infrastructure (e.g., ports, roads, soil laboratories, energy) serves farmers’ income and national food security.

The InfoPoint Conference took place in Brussels in April, 25, and gathered researchers, policy-makers, agri-food systems actors and looked from a new perspective at the role of fertilizers in increasing agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa:
Why is their role in food security such a pressing and debated issue? What are the relevant agronomic, socio-economic, and policy challenges at stake? How do we deal with such challenges from a policy-making perspective? How evidence can be helpful to inform decision-making?

Read more on the SIANI webpage

Look at the infopoint recording.