June 2024 Newsletter
International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
Developing Agriculture from the Ground Up
Highlights from IFDC's "Future Proofing: Unified Action for Soil Health and Food Security" Symposium in Washington, D.C.
IFDC's 50th Anniversary Symposia Series
The "Future Proofing: Unified Action for Soil Health and Food Security" symposium, hosted by IFDC on June 4 in Washington, D.C., brought together global experts—including USAID Administrator Samantha Power, the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) and USDA’s Chief Scientist Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Director of the Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development of the African Union Commission Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, and Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor and Director of the CFAES Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration at The Ohio State University and World Food Prize Laureate—to discuss strategies for improving soil health and food security, particularly in Africa.
Key conversations covered the implementation of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan, the importance of scientific research, and the role of innovation and policy. The event emphasized collaboration, actionable solutions, and ongoing efforts to address food insecurity and climate change, setting the stage for future initiatives.
A special thanks to our breakout session leaders from the Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) initiative at Virginia Tech University, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Kansas State University, the Alliance for African Partnership at Michigan State University, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), and the World Bank.
June Project Feature: HortiNigeria
The HortiNigeria program (2021-2025), funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, aims to facilitate the development of a sustainable and inclusive horticulture sector that contributes to food and nutrition security in Nigeria.
50th Anniversary News
Showcasing agricultural innovations at the Niger Open Door event
IFDC presented its research products and technologies to the public during the celebration of its 50th anniversary in Niger on April 25. The Niger Open Door event highlighted the significant impact of its research and technologies on agricultural development and food security. With strong support from local and international governments and organizations, IFDC reaffirmed its commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships.
Strengthening partnerships to improve soil health and market access in Benin
On April 18, IFDC celebrated its global 50th anniversary and 22 years in Benin with an Open Door event at its Cotonou office. At the Open Door event, IFDC strengthened partnerships. Many invited partners, from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Benin, gave testimonials of their collaboration with IFDC, highlighting their continued support to ACMA3 in improving soil health and market access for smallholder farmers.
Recent News and Blogs
Witnessing the achievements of ACMA3 in empowering rural communities
In less than two years, ACMA3 has already made several accomplishments. Anouk Baron, Deputy Ambassador and Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Benin, recently engaged in a field visit to learn more about empowering rural communities.
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Advancements in African agriculture: a promising outlook on organo-mineral fertilizers
At an AFSH Summit side event, “Mapping Organic Feedstocks in Africa: A Step Towards Nature-Positive Fertilizer Production,” co-hosted by IFDC and Cranfield University, participants explored the feasibility of utilizing organo-mineral fertilizers to better assist smallholder farmers in the African continent.
Catalyzing agricultural development in the Sahel through the Soil Values program
IFDC held national launches of the Soil Values program in Niger on May 13; Burkina Faso on May 16; Nigeria on May 20; and Mali on May 23. These events provided an opportunity to mobilize and provide information to stakeholders and to establish a framework for collaborative action at the national level, in line with the program’s objectives.
The regional hub for fertilizer and soil health for West Africa and the Sahel
The Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub for West Africa and the Sahel is a collaborative initiative across sectors, designed to address the critical issues of soil health and sustainable fertilizer use in the region. Launched in 2024 as a sub-program of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the hub was founded by a diverse coalition of stakeholders.
Strengthening sustainable soil health and fertility in the Sahel
The Soil Values program organized a technical workshop held April 15-17 in Abuja, Nigeria. Accompanying the official launch of the Soil Values program, this technical workshop provided an opportunity to coordinate knowledge, explore points of synergy, establish relevant collaborations, and identify the types of interventions needed based on the expected results in each intervention area.
IFDC releases a new study in the journal Scientific Reports
The objective of this study was to calibrate the Crop Environment Resource Synthesis CERES-Maize model to simulate crop growth, yield, and nitrogen dynamics in a long-term conservation agriculture-based maize system. The model was also used to investigate the relationship between temperature, nitrate and ammoniacal concentration in soil, and nitrogen uptake by the crop.
Women agripreneurs: Paulina Akibire's potential unleashed
In the heart of Ghana's Northeast region lies Nalerigu, a bustling town teeming with life in its semi-arid climate and flourishing agricultural landscape. Here, amidst the rhythm of subsistence farming and livestock rearing, Paulina Akabire's story emerges—a tale woven with threads of resilience, innovation, and the empowering essence of women's economic upliftment through collaborative alliances.
Watch now — the 2SCALE approach
2SCALE stands as the largest incubator and accelerator for inclusive agribusiness partnerships across Africa. In this video, we dive deep into the unique 2SCALE approach that propels inclusive agribusiness forward on the continent. Explore how 2SCALE leverages public-private partnerships, with SMEs, farmer groups, and various stakeholders, to foster sustainable growth, enhance food security, and promote inclusion in the agricultural sector.