Malawi has shared notes with other countries at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Kenya regarding the steps it has put in place for the next 10 years to contain a decade-long decline in soil fertility.
Addressing delegates at the summit, President Dr Lazarus Chakwera said Malawi has not been spared from the crisis of soil degradation and is equally facing the consequences.
To deal with the challenge, President Chakwera said his administration will be piloting a programme aimed at addressing high acidity levels in soils.
The Malawi leader further said since the Abuja declaration of 2006, various other interventions aimed at making fertilizers accessible to farmers have been implemented including the flagship Affordable Inputs Programme.
Host President William Ruto called on African countries to seriously consider setting up fertilizer manufacturing plants as the commodity’s availability and affordability has been heavily hampered by the geopolitical problems emanating from the Russia – Ukrain war.
The summit has attracted eight Heads of State including Dr Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, Emmerson M’nangagwa of Zimbabwe, Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia besides scientists and development partners.
By Isaac Jali, Nairobi-Kenya
