Staff Reporter

Government has issued a compelling call for increased support in capacity building for the Africa Centre for Fertiliser Development.

During a Joint Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture in Kenya yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Fredrick Shava emphasized the pivotal role the centre plays in agricultural advancement across the continent.

“This centre’s remit encompasses vital areas such as fertilizer and soil health research, and it is instrumental in the implementation of the 10-year Africa fertilizer and soil health action plan,” Minister Shava stated Highlighting the disparity in fertilizer usage between Africa and the rest of the world, Minister Shava lamented the continent’s low fertilizer usage per hectare.

“Smallholder farmers are facing challenges in accessing affordable, high-quality fertilizers, and this has a significant impact on agricultural productivity and food security,” he said. Furthermore, Minister Shava urged the African Development Bank to bolster support for the Africa Fertiliser Financing Mechanism.

“Therefore, it is important to expand funding for fertilizer production on the continent and facilitate access to fertilizers and their value chains across nations. Minister Shava went further to encourage all countries in Africa not to overlook the critical role of fertilizers in agricultural development and that all countries should invest in fertilizer development.

“It is imperative that we address the challenges hindering fertilizer accessibility and affordability for our farmers. By investing in fertilizer development and production, we can unlock the full potential of Africa’s agricultural sector,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, the Summit is expected to concentrate on regional cooperation in fertilizer policy, research and development, investment pooling, cross-border trade, collaborative research, capacity building, and exchanging best practices for agricultural development.