(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-25 20:52

"Currently, farm yield in Africa is one-quarter the global average, and one-third of Africans face chronic hunger. We know that the use of high quality seeds, combined with the rejuvenation of African soils, can begin to turn around this dismal situation," Ngongi said.  

"This initiative by AGRA is timely and will help to greatly advance Africa's efforts to solve its soil fertility challenges," said Richard Mkandawire, agriculture advisor for NEPAD, the New Partnership for Africa's Development.

AGRA's Soil Health Program will foster widespread adoption of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM).

The ISFM strategy involves assessing local soil and water resources and considering how organic matter, fertilizers, farmer cropping systems, and farmer knowledge can work in concert to create highly productive and environmentally sustainable approaches to soil revitalization.

"The Soil Health Program was developed not only to boost the yield and incomes of small-scale farmers, but also to care for the soil in ways that conserve the environment," said Akin Adesina, vice president for policy and partnerships at AGRA.

The organization said the methods adopted by farmers will vary according to the nutritional needs of their crops and the deficiencies of their soils.

For example, in some cases, soil health will best be improved with increased use of organic matter derived from crop residues, manure, or crop rotation with legumes that can increase the availability of soil nitrogen.

In other cases, the restoration of severely depleted soils may require that farmers apply carefully formulated fertilizers, often in combination with organic matter.

"Africa's agro-ecologies are diverse and farmers' practices differ widely across regions. No one size can fit all. We will work with farmers and researchers to develop locally-adaptable soil fertility interventions," Adesina said.

AGRA said it will give special attention to women farmers, who form the vast majority of small-scale farmers in Africa and who, as a result, have considerable knowledge of how various crops are faring in local soils.

"This program gives us renewed hope because with improved soils and seeds, we will boost our yields and therefore feed ourselves and use the surplus to improve our income and living conditions. We welcome this initiative by AGRA," said Kenyan farmer Philip Kiriro.

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