The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has launched a regional push to improve soil health and fertiliser use as part of efforts to tackle food insecurity and declining agricultural productivity across the region.

Stakeholders from IGAD Member States, West Africa, the private sector, research institutions and development partners are meeting in Entebbe, Uganda, for a four-day learning event running from September 14 to 17 under the theme, "Advancing soil health and fertiliser use for resilient food systems in the IGAD region."

The event, organised under the IGAD Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub through the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), has attracted at least 60 participants. A practical learning visit to the National Agricultural Research Laboratories in Kawanda is also planned as part of the programme.

Opening the event on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Assistant Commissioner for Food and Nutrition Security Alex Bambona said soil health is central to Uganda's food systems transformation agenda.

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"Looking at the subject at hand, there is no doubt that this discussion fits very well in our broad priorities to ensure rapid transformation of the country's food systems," Bambona said.

He said Uganda is committed to translating the Nairobi Declaration on Fertilizer and Soil Health into action, working with partners including the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC).

Bambona noted that although the IGAD region has vast natural resources, it continues to face high levels of food insecurity and low fertiliser use.

"The starting point for food system transformation is basically the harnessing of soil resources, conservation of our soil health, and the use of fertilizer," he said, while emphasising the need for proper fertiliser application.

"Even fertilizer per se is not a solution. It can be misused in the treatment of the soils if it is not used well," he cautioned.

Speaking on behalf of the IGAD Executive Secretary, Daher Elmi, Director of the Agriculture and Environment Division at IGAD, said healthy soils are the foundation of resilient food systems.

"Across our region, soil degradation, declining soil fertility and low fertilizer use efficiency continue to undermine agricultural productivity, food security and livelihoods," Elmi said.

He said the IGAD Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, innovation, policy dialogue, partnerships and investment in soil health.

Dr Ermias Betemariam, representing technical partners, said Africa's challenge is less about a lack of technical solutions and more about ensuring those solutions reach farmers and policymakers.

"What we lack most in Africa is not like a technical deficit, but sometimes we have a deficit of delivery," he said.

Betemariam said soil health is also critical to economic development and job creation, noting that Africa spends an estimated $60-80 billion annually on food imports despite its considerable agricultural potential.

Denis Kibuuka from the IGAD Secretariat said the Hub was established following the 2024 African Union Summit on Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health held in Nairobi.

He said the Hub's objectives include sharing experiences, building the capacity of Member States and establishing a regional soil information system.

"There is no other option apart from using fertilizers to improve the soil because when you are talking about soil health, it is like human health. You have to keep supporting the soils," Kibuuka said.