African leaders agree to resuscitate Harare Fertil...

African leaders agree to resuscitate Harare Fertiliser Development Centre

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

African heads of State at the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, agreed to revive the Africa Centre for Fertiliser Development in Harare, with all the present leaders committing to the Africa fertiliser financing models, development and promotion of local fertiliser and soil health management practices and technologies.

The resuscitation of the Harare centre, which is in line with the earmarked promotion and improvement of research on fertiliser and soil health in African countries, is part of the provisions in the adopted Nairobi Declaration.

Heads of state undertook to prepare a road map to achieve set goals of a triple domestic production and distribution of both organic and inorganic fertiliser by 2034.

Giving an update on proceedings of the May 9 Special Summit, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said that Heads of State present at the Summit confirmed their countries’ commitment to meet set requirements to improve soil health for maximum utilisation and desired production, hence approving the financial mechanisations for the re-establishment of the Centre that will promote research on new technologies and management systems.

“The Special Summit adopted the Nairobi Declaration on Fertiliser and Soil Health and endorsed the Ten-Year Africa Fertiliser and Soil Action Plan, and the Soil Initiative for Africa Framework documents.

The move highlights Africa’s efforts to eradicate food insecurity and poor soil health.

“The Heads of State and Government undertook to triple domestic production and the distribution of organic and inorganic fertilisers by 2034, and to strengthen research and development on the utilisation of inorganic and organic fertilisers through the resuscitation of the Africa Centre for Fertiliser Development in Harare.

“The Centre for Fertiliser Development is earmarked to promote research in fertilisers and the improvement of soil health in line with the African Union thrust.

“In the Nairobi Declaration, the Heads of State and Government also affirmed their commitment to the full operationalisation of the Africa Fertiliser Financing Mechanism, and the development and promotion of systemic national capacity building for locally relevant fertiliser and soil health management practices and technologies. The private sector was also urged to increase investments into Africa’s fertiliser industry and promote sustainable soil management practices,” said Dr Muswere.

He also reiterated that, President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed the need for extensive education programmes on sustainable soil management in order to further fertiliser consumption, while commending efforts made by the African Development Bank in setting up sector specific fund that enhances local fertiliser production.

“His Excellency the President, Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa highlighted the need to strengthen agriculture extension services, communication and education programmes in order to enhance fertiliser consumption.

“He commended the African Development Bank for setting up a Fertiliser Fund to boost the local production of fertilisers. The President called for private public partnerships in the upgrading and introduction of new technologies to scale up fertiliser production,” he added.