http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership This presentation was made during the regional conference on the West and Central Africa soil partnership that took place in Agra, Ghana 4-6 April 2013. This presentation was made by Bashir Jama, and it presents status and challenges of soil health in Africa. ©FAO: http://www.fao.org

1. Status and challenges of soil
health in Africa
Bashir Jama
AGRA, Ghana
Presentation at the ‘Launch of Global Soil Partnership in
West and Central Africa’
4-6 April, 2013
Labadi Beach hotel, Accra, Ghana

2. Outline
•Putting the problem into context
•Solution – fertilizer within integrated soil
fertility management practices; associated
challenges
•Opportunities scaling up emerging impacts
through country-level soil health consortia
and related partnership (GSP and others)
2

3. The Sahelian Drylands
Area: 1.2m km2
Population: 38m
Millet & sorghum belt: 23m ha
Predominantly Alfisols and
Arenosols
Humid Forest Zone
Area: 5.8m km2
Population: 168m
Cassava belt: 18m ha
Rice potential: 2m ha
Predominantly Oxisols and
Ultisols
Moist Savanna and
Woodland Zones
Area: 4.4m km2
Population: 157m
Maize belt: 32m ha
CA potential: 7m ha
Predominantly Alfisols
The diversity of soils and crops in Africa calls for site specific
ISFM recommendations

5. Keyentrypoints:Unhealthysoils,
Untamedwater

6. Nutrientsonthemove

7. I
Increasingfertilizersupplies:startswith
improvingports
Accounts for
15-30% of the
C.I.F costs
7
Beira port, Mozambique

8. Supportlocalproductionwherefeasible,e.g.,
MinjinguinTanzania
 Blends: 60,000 to 90,000 MT p.a.
 Opened outlets in Kenya in 2010
AFAP now improving access to financing

9. Awarenesscreationandtrainingfarmers
onfertilizeruseisessential
Source: AGRA database (2012)
Fertilizer use closes maize yield across countries

10. 10
Confidential
Microdose Control
Start small, e.g., fertilizer micro-dosing in
low rainfall areas

11. Increaseagrodealernetworks
• Over 14,000 trained
by AGRA and
partners
• Distance reduced to
< 2km in some
regions
• Providing extension
and advisory
services
11

12. Strengtheningoffertilizerregulatorysystemsis
essential
12
POOR QUALITY FERTILIZER

13. Improveaccesstomarkets– willrequire
strengthening farmersassociations

14. Promote integration with legumes and organic
sources of fertilizers

15. Improveaccesstofinancing–majorchallenge
• Link agro-dealers and
smallholder farmers to
financial institutions
• Develop attractive credit
guarantee schemes with
financial institutions
• Improve access to markets
for produce
15

16. No. of farmers using ISFM tech are increasing
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
2008 (start
of SHP)
2009
(baseline)
2010 2011 2012
No.offarmers
Migliaia
Years

17. Country–level Soil Health Consortia
established in 12 country
• Leverage resources
• Keep development
linked closely to
research
• Improve monitoring
process
• Improve information
sharing and capacity
development
• Provide GSP platform
for rapid progress

18. Thank you
bjama@agra.org
www.agra.org