By Gabs Mia
Nairobi, Kenya – In a significant step to address the urgent challenge of soil health in Africa, the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Government of Norway through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) have formed a transformative partnership. This partnership aims to improve soil health across the continent for sustainable food systems.
The ambitious 3-year Program, initiated during the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 7th to 9th May, is tailored to support AU member States in implementing summit resolutions. This initiative strategically leverages policy, practice, and research to effectively manage soil health and promote agricultural sustainability in Africa.
Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, the Director of Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability at AUDA-NEPAD, stressed the importance of the partnership in assisting AU Member States in implementing summit resolutions. She warmly thanked the Government of Norway for its steadfast commitment to the African Agenda and its enduring partnership with AUDA-NEPAD.
Norway’s Minister of International Development, Honorable Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, stressed the importance of implementing the outcomes of the summit. As the chair of the Development Partners Coordination Group Minister, Tvinnereim emphasized the need for projects that deliver tangible results.
“The partnership with AUDA-NEPAD is deemed critical in achieving meaningful impact on the ground, particularly in optimizing data and information for active monitoring and evaluation of policies and farming practices’ impact on soil health”, said the Minister.
The launch was held on the margins of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, aliging with the summit’s focus on investing in healthy soils for healthy diets, healthy people, and a healthy planet. Against the backdrop of a worsening climate crisis, the importance of healthy soils in increasing productivity, enhancing resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions cannot be overstated.
Ensuring accountability to the summit commitments and tracking progress necessitate paramount monitoring of soil health. Lisinge Fotabong emphasized the imperative of sustained support and innovative approaches in soil health restoration, considering the scarcity of immediate benefits, for a long – term investment.
AUDA-NEPAD and Norway are enthusiastic about unlocking the transformative potential of their collaboration. Together, they aim to propel soil health and sustainable food systems across Africa
