Zimbabwe News Update
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Getting yourTrinity Audioplayer ready…Stakeholders have been urged to take urgent and integrated action to restore Africa’s soils and transform the continent’s agrifood systems in pursuit of achieving food and nutrition security.This emerged during a dialogue on accelerating the implementation of the CAADP Kampala Food and Nutrition at the 21st Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) and the 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) in Kigali, Rwanda, that ran from 29 to 31 October 2025.The discussions laid bare the fact that healthy soils are the foundation of healthy diets, healthy people, and a healthy planet. The presentations came from Dr.
Janet Edeme, Head of the Rural Development Division and Acting Head of Agriculture and Food Security at the African Union Commission (AUC), and Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).In her presentation, Dr. Janet Edeme emphasized that Africa’s soils are both a natural treasure and a critical national asset that requires immediate investment and protection. Yet, the continent is facing a silent crisis.“Sixty-five percent of Africa’s agricultural land is degraded. Each year, we lose an estimated $4 billion worth of soil nutrients. If we managed our soils sustainably, we could produce up to 58% more food,” Dr Edeme said.The statistics are stark, but they tell only part of the story.
Healthy soils are not just productive but alive.“A single teaspoon of healthy soil contains more living organisms than there are people on Earth. These microorganisms work tirelessly, breaking down organic matter, recycling nutrients, and keeping ecosystems balanced.”Drawing an analogy between human and soil health, she explained that soils, like people, need diagnosis and care. Just as a doctor prescribes treatment after examining symptoms, farmers must assess their soils to apply the right interventions.“Soil health is the capacity of soil to sustain agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and ecosystem services through sustainable management of farms and landscapes.”She quoted Indian agricultural scientist M.S.
Swaminathan, who once said, “Soil anemia breeds human anemia.” When soils are deficient in essential micronutrients, the crops grown on them are also deficient, translating directly into malnutrition in the populations that consume them. Thus, investing in soil health is not only an agricultural imperative but a public health strategy.Africa’s soils also play a crucial role in environmental sustainability. Healthy soils store more carbon than all plants and the atmosphere combined, acting as a powerful tool for mitigating climate change.
Practices like cover cropping and reduced tillage help capture carbon, improve biodiversity, and protect water systems.In the CAADP framework and the Kampala Declaration, soil health is directly linked to three strategic objectives of sustainable food production and trade; investment and financing for resilient systems; and improved nutrition and ecosystem health.The CAADP Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan calls for tripling fertilizer consumption (both organic and inorganic) by 2034, restoring at least 30% of degraded soils, and ensuring 70% of smallholder farmers have access to extension and soil management services.“Africa must see soil as an asset. Investing in soil is investing in our people, our economies, and our future,” Dr Edeme added.Building on Dr. Edeme’s message, Dr.
Lawrence Haddad of GAIN addressed the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of CAADP across the continent.“Acceleration is the name of the game. We must move from concepts to contracts, from plans to performance,” he said.
Getting yourTrinity Audioplayer ready…
Stakeholders have been urged to take urgent and integrated action to restore Africa’s soils and transform the continent’s agrifood systems in pursuit of achieving food and nutrition security.
This emerged during a dialogue on accelerating the implementation of the CAADP Kampala Food and Nutrition at the 21st Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) and the 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) in Kigali, Rwanda, that ran from 29 to 31 October 2025.
The discussions laid bare the fact that healthy soils are the foundation of healthy diets, healthy people, and a healthy planet. The presentations came from Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of the Rural Development Division and Acting Head of Agriculture and Food Security at the African Union Commission (AUC), and Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
In her presentation, Dr. Janet Edeme emphasized that Africa’s soils are both a natural treasure and a critical national asset that requires immediate investment and protection. Yet, the continent is facing a silent crisis.
“Sixty-five percent of Africa’s agricultural land is degraded. Each year, we lose an estimated $4 billion worth of soil nutrients. If we managed our soils sustainably, we could produce up to 58% more food,” Dr Edeme said.
The statistics are stark, but they tell only part of the story. Healthy soils are not just productive but alive.
