Statement by H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the Opening of The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit

Speeches

Statement by H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the Opening of The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit

May 08, 2024

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Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya
E. Dr. Mohamed Salem Merzoug, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad, and Chairperson of the Executive Council, Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of the Republic of Uganda and Chair of the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment.
Honorable Ministers Present
E. Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission
Excellencies , Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Please allow me to start by welcoming you to the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSHS) which aims at paving the way for the transformation of Africa’s agriculture and agri-food systems.
I take this opportunity to thank the Government of Kenya for graciously accepting to host this Summit here in Nairobi. I would also like to extend my sympathies to the families that lost their loved ones in the recent floods that occurred in different parts of Kenya.
Special thanks to my sister, H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko for her leadership and tireless efforts to ensure a successful holding of this Summit after being postponed twice last year.
This Summit could not be held at a most opportune time than now when the impact of COVID-19 coupled with the conflict in Ukraine, the multiple conflicts on the continent, and climate change is felt through low agricultural productivity and slowing economic growth.
You will recall that in 2006, African Heads of State and Government endorsed the Abuja declaration on Fertilizers for a Green Revolution in Africa, with a target of 50 kilograms per hectare per annum. Todate, our continent is still far from achieving this target with an average fertilizer use rate standing at about 18 kilograms. In order to bridge the productivity gap with the rest of the world, Africa needs to take bold measures. This can only be done by agreeing on common measures, informed by lessons from others from within and outside the continent on best practices.
As dictated by the theme of the Summit “Listen to the Soil”, a quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt reminds us that "The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself." Let us pay attention to our soils: understanding their needs and what make them more productive and responsive to our needs, for now and the future.
During this Summit, we will learn from specialists and practitioners about good practices combined with the adequate technologies to manage our oils, while ensuring that we do not destroy our environment. We will hear about actions which we need to take collectively to ensure that we close the gap in our best practices with the rest of the world so as to maintain our competitiveness while we cater to the millions of Africans whose lives and livelihoods depend on agriculture and food systems.
Without being prescriptive, we need to promote proven soil management practices applicable to local contexts for the overall good of every individual on the continent and beyond. I would like to echo what is said about soil: “our soil is the reservoir of our water, it is the home for several microorganisms, insects, and other living organisms. On the chemistry side, our soil is a source and sink of soil nutrients, it plays a major role in attenuating toxic substances from the earth's surface. This is vital to the sustenance of life on earth. More importantly and in recent decades, the role of our soil as the sink for carbon is a vital management resource for adaptation and mitigation of climate change.”
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen; we have a serious assignment on our hands today. I would like to call for renewed commitment and support to address the various issues of soil health and fertilizer use on the continent. I particularly call on you, our leaders in agriculture and foreign affairs to deploy enough resources to tackle these important issues for the good of millions of Africans.
I would like to emphasize the importance of engaging with the private sector at all levels and collaborating with research and academic institutions to bring about technological and innovative solutions to the challenges of soil health and fertilizers on our continent.
I would not close this short statement without thanking our development partners, both technically and financially, for supporting the African Union and the Government of Kenya to organize this summit. I call upon you to continue this commitment and support so as to ensure a prosperous future for the continent and beyond as we believe that Africa’s growth will benefit the whole world.
Alone we may be able to gain some miles, but together we will be unstoppable and will achieve food and nutrition security for all.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Thank you. Merci. Asante Sana. Obrigada. Shukran. Gracias.