ADB advocates for agritech scaling, partnerships at AFSH Summit 2024

The African Development Bank Group will leverage its deep expertise and convening power to highlight the crucial role of agricultural technologies, fertilizer and healthy soils in driving sustainable agricultural growth at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi.

Representing Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development Dr. Beth Dunford will lead a delegation of agriculture, agribusiness, fertilizer and partnership specialists to the summit.

The event will explore solutions to widespread declines in farmland soil quality and build consensus on an African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan.

 The summit will also adopt an African Union Commission initiative to enhance the health and productivity of African soils.

More than 1,500 participants from across Africa, including heads of state and ministers, are expected to attend.  

The minister of agriculture and animal industry, Frank Tumwebaze asked African countries to address challenges that affect soil fertility.

 He noted that addressing these and more challenges to ensuring rehabilitation and enhancement of soil health will be critical for the future of agriculture, food, animal feeds, nutrition and income security among citizens.

"Fertilizer importation is capital intensive and to break even, you need to import large volumes. This calls for access to affordable finances to facilitate the trade. The implication of this is that very few private sector players venture into it leading to low volumes," Tumwebaze noted.