Photo: Mulching involves covering the soil surface with materials like straw or bark to protect plant roots, retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health.
The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), successfully hosted a preparatory webinar on March 6, 2025. The webinar served as a crucial precursor to the upcoming SADC Regional Validation Workshop of Fertilizer and Soil Health Programme and SADC Soil Health and Fertilizer Hub, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from March 18 to 21, 2025.
Strengthening Regional Collaboration on Soil Health
The virtual event brought together key stakeholders from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, including government representatives, agricultural researchers, policymakers, and development partners. The objective was to provide an overview of the key agenda items and ensure stakeholders were well-prepared for meaningful engagement at the validation workshop.
Soil health is a critical issue in Southern Africa, with an estimated 65% of arable land affected by degradation, leading to reduced agricultural productivity. Additionally, fertilizer use in the region remains low, averaging 10 kg per hectare, far below the global average of 135 kg per hectare. Addressing these challenges through improved soil management and targeted fertilizer application is essential to ensuring food security and climate resilience.
Key Highlights from the Webinar
During the two-hour session, CCARDESA and FAO experts provided insights into the Revised Southern Africa Soil Health and Fertilizer Programme presented by FAO and the proposed establishment of a SADC Soil Health and Fertilizer Hub by CCARDESA. This hub, to be hosted by CCARDESA, will serve as the central coordinating body for regional efforts to improve soil fertility, optimize fertilizer use, and promote sustainable land management practices.
Discussions also focused on the upcoming consultative workshop, which will explore agro-ecological re-zoning and soil mapping to enhance fertilizer use efficiency and improve soil health management across the region.
Stakeholders emphasized the urgency of addressing soil health challenges to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security in Southern Africa. FAO representatives provided technical insights on the role of soil health in climate-resilient agriculture, underscoring the need for data-driven approaches to soil fertility management.
Participants also deliberated on the harmonization of fertilizer recommendations across SADC countries and the importance of capacity-building programs for farmers and extension officers.Hence, this preparatory webinar ensured that all stakeholders are aligned ahead of the regional validation workshop.
Next Steps Towards the Regional Validation Workshop
Participants were encouraged to review relevant documents ahead of the Johannesburg workshop to ensure productive deliberations. The workshop will provide a platform to validate key findings and finalize strategies for the implementation of the Soil Health and Fertilizer Programme.
With strong engagement from regional stakeholders, the upcoming workshop is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable soil and fertilizer policies for the SADC region.
Poster of the webinar
