AGRA

Soils are the foundation of all life on Earth. They sustain biodiversity, provide nutrients, regulate water cycles, and are central to food security. Recognizing their critical importance, AGRA, in partnership with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, hosted Mali’s first-ever event specifically dedicated to soils, in celebration of World Soil Day. This landmark initiative focused on preserving the health of arid and semi-arid soils, with the theme: “Nourish the Earth, Secure the Future.”

A Collaborative Effort for Soil Health

The event, supported through the Soil Values Program, highlighted the increasing degradation of soils, with an alarming 65% of land in the Sahel already affected. It underscored the urgency of collaborative and innovative solutions to restore soil health, safeguard agricultural productivity, and combat food insecurity.

The forum, chaired by Mali’s Minister of Agriculture, brought together policymakers, technical experts, development partners, and private sector stakeholders. Discussions were enriched by expert panels and roundtable exchanges, offering a comprehensive platform to address soil health and its implications for agricultural transformation.

Key Recommendations for Action

The panels and discussions produced actionable recommendations to guide Mali’s soil health initiatives, including:

1. Establishing a platform for dialogue among soil experts and affiliated stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange.
2. Creating synergies of action among stakeholders to collaboratively restore degraded lands.
3. Updating Mali’s soil mapping to provide accurate data for decision-making and land management.
4. Developing targeted policies to address land tenure, soil health, and the sustainable use of non-timber forest products.
5. Investing in action research on soils to promote sustainable land management practices.

A Call to Action for Sustainable Soil Management

In his address, the Minister of Agriculture emphasized that sustainable soil management is not only an environmental necessity but also a socio-economic and humanitarian imperative. The forum provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of soils in achieving Mali’s food security and agricultural sustainability goals, as outlined in the Nairobi Declaration on Fertilizers and Soil Health in Africa.

A Commitment to the Future

This inaugural event was more than a celebration—it was a call to action. AGRA and IFDC reaffirmed their commitment to fostering innovation, capacity-building, and partnerships that prioritize soil health. By aligning national strategies with regional and international initiatives, Mali is taking decisive steps toward transforming its agricultural systems for resilience and sustainability.

World Soil Day 2024 was a significant milestone, marking the beginning of a dedicated national focus on soil health in Mali. Together, let us preserve and regenerate our soils, ensuring they continue to nourish our present and future generations.