APNI Joins Coalition of Leading R&D Institutions in Response to AU Commitments to Soil Health
May 8, 2024 – Nairobi, Kenya – The much-anticipated African Union Commission-led Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSH) held 7-9 May, 2024, has marked a significant milestone in the continent’s commitment to the advancement of sustainable agriculture. Key outcomes included the signing of the Nairobi Declaration in part pledging for a tripling of fertilizer use to 54 kilograms per hectare by 2033, and the AU’s endorsement of its 10-year Soil Heath Action Plan, and Soil Initiative for Africa.
In response, and as leading agricultural research and development institutions, the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) representing the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative (EiA) Centres, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), the and Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) have formed a new Coalition of Implementers for Fertilizers and Soil Health (CIFSH).
CIFSH is a new collaborative partnership designed to “execute research, development, and outreach programs associated with responsible fertilizer use for enhancing soil health in African agro-ecosystems.” Members of CIFSH bring a complimentary spectrum of expertise in research, farming systems, supply chain, value chain and market development, finance, and policy advocacy crucial for creating persistent change on the ground.
The formation of CIFSH comes at a crucial time as African nations struggle with a vicious cycle of soil health decline, land degradation, poor yields, and loss of ecosystem services, which has led to poverty and depletion of resources. CIFSH aims to coordinate and combine efforts to leverage the strengths of each member organization to create gains in crop productivity, farm profitability and enhance both food security and resilience to climate and other shocks.
“We believe that unity and interdependence are our greatest assets,” said Dr. Kaushik Majumdar, APNI Director General. “Reinventing soil health and agronomy on a national level alone can lead to fragmented efforts and may often be a siloed approach. By engaging in transnational research and collaboration, we can achieve greater impact.”
Coalition of Implementers for Fertilizers and Soil Health (CIFSH) Signatories (left to right: Dr. Simeon Ehui, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Africa; Henk van Duijn, IFDC President and CEO; Dr. Aggrey Agumya, FARA Executive Director; Dr. Kaushik Majumdar, APNI Director General.
Ethiopia serves as a model for well supported collaborative R&D. The country’s investment, coupled with a coalition of national and international partners, has transformed its agricultural sector. Through shared expertise in soil mapping, data management, and decision support, Ethiopia has positively impacted over 4 million farmers and emerged as one of the leading agricultural nations in Africa, earning the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Agricola Medal for its commitment to food security and nutrition.
The AFSH spirit emphasizes deepening collective understanding and action. CISFH is more than a strategic partnership; it is a concerted effort to improve food security through the sustainable use of fertilizers. Each member organization brings unique expertise, such as APNI’s focus on on-farm experimentation, technology transfer, and capacity building.
This coalition will address various critical themes, including water management, crop nutrient management, and tools for business upscaling, while creating locally relevant solutions for farmers. By pooling resources and expertise, the coalition aims to revitalize soil health and agronomy, fostering resilience and prosperity for farmers and communities across Africa.
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About the CIFSH Partners
African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) is a not-for-profit research and education organization founded in 2019. Their mission is enhanced plant nutrition for a resilient and food-secure Africa. APNI’s core competence in plant nutrition research and development is well positioned to activate the fundamental changes needed for sustainable transformation of agricultural systems in Africa.
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex continental organization responsible for coordinating and advocating for agricultural research for development. FARA serves as the technical arm of the Africa Union Commission on matters concerning agriculture science, technology, and innovation.
International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is an independent non-profit organization that combines innovative research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to spread sustainable agricultural solutions for improved soil health, food security, and livelihoods around the world.
International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity.
