Participation of the Global Phosphorus Institute at the AFSH 2024 Summit

7 May, 2024

Very pleased to announce the participation of the Global Phosphorus Institute at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH 2024) Summit from May 7–9 in Nairobi, Kenya. This long anticipated event concluded with heads of state approving the 10-year Action Plan containing concrete recommendations for steps that African countries will take with the aim of enabling farmers to rebuild soil health, increase yield and profitability. The Nairobi Declaration that resulted from this event outlined a comprehensive framework for regional cooperation in addressing environmental challenges, highlighting sustainable development, conservation efforts, and equitable resource management. The AFSH 2024 Summit highlighted key strategies for advancing soil health, with a strong commitment on technology, collaboration, and policy advocacy. Moreover, the summit served as a collaborative platform for more than 500 stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and businesses, to share resources and expertise towards collective solutions for soil challenges. Recognizing the importance of youth involvement, dedicated sessions aimed to inspire and educate young farmers, encouraging innovation and leadership in sustainable farming practices. Influential leaders advocated for policy changes prioritizing soil health within national agricultural strategies, stressing the need for the long term resilience. The Global Phosphorus Institute (GPI) was pleased to share expertise on sustainable nutrient management tailored for African smallholder farmers. In parallel sessions, GPI highlighted the importance of last-mile delivery in technology dissemination and showcased the benefits of implementing the 4R Nutrient Stewardship approach. Dr. Terry Roberts, President of GPI’s Scientific Committee, emphasized the significance of these approaches in his contributions. Dr. Joann Whalen, Executive Director, addressed the topic of harnessing the soil microbiome underscored the significance of understanding soil and fertilizer dynamics in Africa's farming journey. Their interventions for GPI enriched the discussion and collaborative actions for better fertilizer management and soil health improvement.