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Zambia is currently grappling with increased soil degradation and a decline in soil quality, particularly affecting agricultural production, according to authorities.
Speaking at the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit of the African Union in Nairobi, Kenya, Acting Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Mulambo Haimbe, highlighted the adverse impact of soil degradation on production, leading to persistently low yields despite increased fertiliser use.
Haimbe stated Zambia’s recognition of the importance of sustaining healthy soils for food production and expressed support for initiatives like the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit.
He noted that the Summit aimed to develop a coordinated approach to enhance Africa’s soils for sustained agricultural productivity.
The Minister outlined Zambia’s efforts to improve soil health and productivity through various soil fertility projects funded by partners, including the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations and the International Fertiliser Development Centre.
Zambia is also benefiting from an international initiative to map, digitalise, and develop a national soil information management system, which was expected to track improvements in fertiliser use and yields per hectare.
Haimbe affirmed Zambia’s commitment to the implementation of the 10-year Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan and urged partners to learn from past experiences, successes, and challenges encountered in implementing commitments under previous declarations.
He stressed the importance of prioritising factors that could accelerate the attainment of key commitments under the Nairobi Declaration 2024 and the 10-year Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan.
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