By `Wole Fatunbi
The Mediterranean region of Africa, including Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Mauritania, faces unique soil challenges. While their soils share similarities with the rest of Africa, they also experience added pressures from low moisture levels, limited vegetation, and biomass yield.
These lands, initially arid, have now become hyper-arid. Key challenges include water scarcity, drought, soil salinization due to irrigation, desertification, erosion, nutrient depletion, low organic carbon, overgrazing, land degradation, soil compaction from mechanized farming, reduced biological activity, and the impact of climate change.
The 4Per1000 Initiative hosted the Mediterranean Regional Conference from October 22-25, 2024, at the Institute of Agriculture and Veterinary, Hassan II, in Rabat, Morocco. During the conference, Prof. Wole Fatunbi, representing the ORCaSa Project and Africa’s International Research Consortium on Soil Carbon (IRC-OC), emphasized the need for Africa to develop its agriculture based on sound science. He noted that Africa must design strategies that reflect its natural resources and socio-economic realities.
Prof. Fatunbi questioned the Agroecology approach of reducing external inputs, which is promoted in some Western and Asian countries. He argued that while this may work elsewhere, Africa needs to incorporate organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and organic materials to improve soil properties. Without this, mineral fertilizers won’t be as effective. He also stressed that mineral fertilizers must be used according to the crop’s specific nutrient needs. This approach would help maintain crop yields and reduce nutrient imbalances.
Prof. Wole Fatunbi, Acting Director of Research and Innovation, FARA
To support this, Prof. Fatunbi proposed the creation of a robust Soil Information System (SIS), which could guide farmers and land users by providing data-driven recommendations on fertilizers and agronomic practices.
Key actions identified to improve soil health and stop land degradation include:
- Developing knowledge and technology to align with nature-based solutions.
- Advancing the Soil Information System for better decision-making.
- Introducing adaptable mechanization for fragile soils in smallholder systems.
- Promoting the use of ICT, remote sensing, drones, and robotics in smallholder farming.
- Developing nature-friendly soil amendments, such as organic and biofertilizers and eco-friendly mineral fertilizers.
For Africa to succeed in these efforts, stakeholders and member states must collaborate to implement continental frameworks like the Soil Information System (SIS) and the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP), a ten-year initiative to advance soil health.
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