Malawi President Attends Africa Soil Health Summit
In addition to African heads of state, the Nairobi summit has convened high-ranking officials, policymakers, private companies, farmer groups, academics, NGOs and donor agencies.
NAIROBI, Kenya — President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi arrived in the Kenyan capital Wednesday evening ahead of a major summit aimed at addressing lagging agricultural productivity across Africa through improved soil management and increased fertilizer usage, writes Winston Mwale.
Chakwera was greeted at the airport by Malawian and Kenyan officials.
He is attending the three-day Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit at the invitation of Kenyan President William Ruto, who is hosting the event.
Chakwera's schedule also includes bilateral meetings and participation in a "Malawi Ready" investment roundtable.
The summit is organized by the African Union's Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Environment in collaboration with the AU's development agency AUDA-NEPAD, regional economic communities, and partners.
It aims to deliberate on Africa's decades-long decline in farmland soil quality that continues to negatively impact agricultural production capacity and food security across the continent.
In 2006, African leaders endorsed the Abuja Declaration, which aimed to reverse poor soil productivity by increasing fertilizer use from 8 kg per hectare to 50 kg per hectare within 10 years.
However, 15 years later, progress has lagged, with fertilizer usage rates remaining among the lowest globally.
The objective now is to bring together governments, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders to agree on an African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan as well as a Soils Initiative for Africa.
The expected 10-year action plan will provide recommendations for new policies and investments to help farmers rebuild soil health and increase fertilizer efficiency and profitability.
The plan aims to recalibrate strategies for boosting sustainable productivity growth in African agriculture – a crucial step for economic transformation and improving rural livelihoods that depend on farming incomes.
Endorsements are expected from leaders, financial partners and other stakeholders for a Nairobi Declaration, Action Plan, Soils Initiative and financing mechanism.
In addition to African heads of state, the Nairobi summit has convened high-ranking officials, policymakers, private companies, farmer groups, academics, NGOs and donor agencies.
All recognize the urgent need to revitalize Africa's depleted soils, described by Kenya's president as "black gold" underfoot, to achieve food security amid growing climate, conflict and other challenges.