We asked, you answered: Can Africa afford to save its soils?
October 7, 2015
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE)
We asked, you answered: Can Africa afford to save its soils?
The question “Can Africa afford to save its soils?” has generated an interesting discussion, and a new article highlights some of the points made by people across the world who are taking part in the conversation.
It notes that the general consensus holds that soil rehabilitation in Africa (and elsewhere) is necessary, and there are already a number of techniques to improve soil fertility such as Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration. However, it also finds that the process of reaching a decent level of soil fertility is problematic.
The discussion touches on many issues including the weight of responsibility placed on farmers, the different agendas of various stakeholders, the need for a food security safety net, the importance of pay-offs for farmers, and issues regarding the market forces that push farmers into urban centres and alternative work.
Read the full article, published by CGIAR’s Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems here