“Farm input shortages and high prices threaten Africa’s food security, writes Pan African Agriculture, in an interview with Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Hebebrand discusses the state of the fertilizer industry in Africa, how adoption of innovations can make the commodity affordable, and the need to build viable fertilizer markets.
Hebebrand explains that the Ukraine-Russia conflict “initially led to an actual scarcity of fertilizers globally and especially in sub-Saharan Africa, as exporters and traders catered more to larger markets.” Affordability remains a problem since domestic prices are still high in many African countries due to depreciating currencies or other factors.
Although, she doesn’t see Africa weaning itself from its fertilizer consumption, agroecological/ sustainable farming practices can provide more organic plant nutrients, and improve soil health (many African soils are depleted) which, in turn, is important for improving fertilizer response. Organic and inorganic fertilizers both play an important role in integrated nutrient management, something being looked at in the CGIAR initiative on Excellence in Agronomy.
Read full interview.