To spotlight how partnerships are translating into tangible impact for farmers and soil health, the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health and the Soil Values program are organizing a webinar entitled “From Signature to Soil: Turning Partnership into Results,” scheduled for May 21 at 11:00 a.m. GMT via Zoom.
This 60-minute session will present ongoing activities and initial results achieved in four countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Northern Nigeria). It will also highlight lessons learned, emphasize the added value of the collaboration, and initiate discussions on scaling up and next steps to maintain momentum.
This webinar follows the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Soil Values and the Regional Hub on February 26, within the framework of the Coalition of Implementors for Fertilizers and Soil Health (CIFSH). This milestone marked the operational launch of a strategic partnership aimed at rapidly generating concrete results on the ground in the Sahel.
Funded by the Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), the Soil Values program aims to mobilize over €300 million, restore 2 million hectares of farmland, and benefit 1.5 million farmers, including 800,000 women.
The Regional Hub works to drive holistic solutions in the Sahel through strategic partnerships and by synergizing existing entities in the region, including government ministries, investors, and fertilizer industry actors. Together, Soil Values and the Regional Hub are working toward their goals even more effectively.
The webinar will showcase country-specific presentations on results from national technical teams. A strategic session will feature Soil Values Program Director Alain Sy Traoré and Regional Hub Director Lionel Axel Kadja, along with representatives from participating countries and beneficiaries.
This session will connect field results to regional goals and identify opportunities for scaling up. Discussions will also focus on immediate priorities for strengthening impact and opportunities for collaboration among partners.
The webinar will bring together the technical and operational teams of the Soil Values consortium as well as Regional Hub partners. These include IFDC, SNV, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), AGRA, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), ISRIC – World Soil Information, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), OCP, and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), along with members of CIFSH.
The webinar will serve as a results-oriented strategic alignment platform to share initial achievements and ongoing dynamics on the ground. This is the first step in a broader dialogue and analysis process that will lead to in-depth technical discussions and a high-level webinar planned for June, focusing on impact, scaling up, and engaging policymakers.
About the Soil Values Program
Funded by the Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), the Soil Values program addresses persistent soil fertility challenges in the Sahel region, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, northern Nigeria, with strategic countries: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. The Soil Values program aims to strengthen soil fertility and agricultural productivity, in the face of climate change, with a focus on regional connectivity and strategic interventions. The program aspires to create a lasting impact on desertification and land degradation, landscape management – watersheds through participatory planning, effectively integrating soil, water and biodiversity. Soil Values plans to promote financial incentive instruments that encourage farmers to invest in soil health through the adoption of sustainable soil management practices.
The Soil Values program is being implemented over 10 years (2024-2034), led by IFDC, in consortium with SNV and Wageningen University and Research (WUR), as well as knowledge partners such as AGRA, the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), ISRIC – World Soil Information, and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
About the Regional Hub
The Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel is a collaborative initiative that brings together leading research, development, and private-sector partners to deliver science-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture. Hosted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and supported by organizations including IFDC, the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), OCP Africa, Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), and ISRIC – World Soil Information, the Hub leverages data, soil testing, and fertilizer technologies to enhance productivity, efficiency, and resilience across regional food systems. With financial backing from the World Bank through CGIAR’s AICCRA project and OCP Africa, the Hub is committed to translating research into actionable solutions for farmers and policymakers, promoting long-term soil health, food security, and sustainable development for West Africa and the Sahel.
