2015International Year of SoilsWhat does this mean for Africa?

2015 has been declared the International Year of Soil (IYS)  by the 68th UN General Assembly , with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  (FAO) been nominated to implement the IYS 2015. The aim of the IYS is to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of healthy soils for food security and essential eco-system functions. 

According to a new report just released by the Montpellier Panel about 65% of Africa's arable land (and a third of arable land worldwide) is too damaged to sustain viable food production. Africa as a continent cannot ignore this because, In terms of employment, the agricultural sector directly contributes enormously to African social economic development. About two –thirds of African farmers depend on agriculture for livelihoods. Africa is growing fast because it is young, It is estimated that Africa population will double to 2.3 billion people by year 2050, With increasing urbanization many people are also losing contact with the processes of food production. Increased population increases pressures on the land and its resources (UNEP).Africa remains the world's poorest despite abundance of natural resources  as a result of poor governance leading to corruption , poor education systems hence high levels of illiteracy that results to poverty ,food insecurity,  poor health , unsustainable resource management among other challenges .

To feed Africa new approaches to better managing soil health, the amount of arable and productive land are critical. According to Montpellier report African governments should do more to promote soil and water conservation, which is costly for farmers in terms of resources, labour, finances and inputs. "Smallholder farmers usually lack the resources to effectively do soil and water conservation yet it is very important ''. Moses Tenywa , an African soil expert argues  that " small holder farmers must be incentivized and this can come through linkages to markets that bring in income or credit that enables them access inputs ''  , adding that practicing climate smart agriculture like agro-forestry, diversification, mulching and rainwater harvesting in climate watersheds would promote greater soil health.

It is estimated that 180 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are affected by land degradation, which costs about $68billon in economic losses as a result of damaged soils that prevent crop yields.

Soil management methods such as pH soil test before applying fertilizers , determining soil health is critical to enhancing the productivity of Africa's Agriculture , a major source of employment and contributor to GDP.

 "Soil fertility measures need to be wrapped in a user friendly packet for African farmers. Compost can be packed as pellets with fortified mineral fertilisers for easy application.''

More information :

http://www.ipsnews.net/2015/01/more-than-half-of-africas-arable-land-too-damaged-for-food-production/