“Feeding the Soil to Feed Africa: Improving Soil Health to Boost Farm Productivity,” a 2020 Borlaug Dialogue side event, examined why soil fertility is so crucial to expanding food production in sub-Saharan Africa, and opportunities to improve farmer incentives to adopt technologies that will result in healthier, more fertile soils.
Dr. André Bationo, winner of the 2020 Africa Food Prize for his pioneering work on practical solutions to improve soils on smallholder farms, provided a keynote address. A panel of experts discussed the role of markets, the private sector, and public sector policies and programs in improving the profitability of soil fertility technologies and expanding their impact across sub-Saharan Africa. Featured speakers include Mr. Alexander Fernando, IFDC’s regional director for East and Southern Africa; Dr. Eric Smaling, professor of agronomy at Wageningen University and Research, and former Member of Parliament in the Netherlands; and Ms. Ruth Kinoti, CEO and founder of IFDC partner Shalem Investments of Kenya. Dr. Julie Howard, Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, moderated the event.
Agenda
Welcome and Introduction with Julie Howard
Soil Fertility and On-Farm Productivity with André Bationo
The Cross-Cutting Benefits of Improving Soil Fertility with Eric Smaling
Soil Fertility and Market Systems Development with Alexander Fernando
Bridging the Gaps in the Real World with Ruth Kinoti
Q&A and Wrap Up with Julie Howard
Speakers
Julie Howard
Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Global Food Security Program
Center for Strategic and International Studies
André Bationo
Chief of Party, SAPEP
IFDC
Alexander Fernando
Regional Director, East and Southern Africa
IFDC
Eric Smaling
Researcher
Wageningen University and Research
Ruth Kinoti
CEO
Shalem Investments Limited
