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The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Government of Norway have joined forces to launch a transformative partnership aimed at enhancing soil health for sustainable food systems across Africa. The partnership marks a significant milestone in addressing the pressing issue of soil health on the continent.
This ambitious 3-year Programme is designed to support AU member States in implementing the resolutions of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, currently convened in Nairobi, Kenya from 7-9 May. The initiative aims to leverage policy, practice, and research to effectively manage soil health and advance agricultural sustainability in Africa.
Ms. Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, Director of Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability at AUDA-NEPAD, emphasized the importance of the partnership in facilitating the domestication of the summit resolutions by the AU Member States.
She expressed gratitude to the Government of Norway for its unwavering commitment to the African Agenda and, longstanding partnership with AUDA-NEPAD.
On behalf of Norway, the Minister of International Development, Honorable. Anne Beathe Tvinnereim underscored the significance of the partnership in implementing summit outcomes. Highlighting Norway’s chairmanship of the Development Partners Coordination Group, the Minister emphasized the importance of projects yielding tangible results.
“The partnership with AUDA-NEPAD is deemed critical in achieving meaningful impact on the ground, particularly in optimizing data and information for active monitoring and evaluation of policies and farming practices’ impact on soil health,” said the Minister.
The launch, held on the margins of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, aligns with the summit’s focus on investing in healthy soils for healthy diets, healthy people, and a healthy planet. Against the backdrop of a worsening climate crisis, the importance of healthy soils in increasing productivity, enhancing resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions cannot be overstated.
Monitoring soil health is paramount to tracking progress and ensuring accountability to summit commitments. As Lisinge-Fotabong emphasized, sustained support and innovative approaches are imperative for long-term investment in soil health restoration, despite the few immediate benefits.
AUDA-NEPAD and Norway look forward to realizing the transformative potential of their partnership in advancing soil health and sustainable food systems across Africa.