Regional responses to challenges to soil fertility and sustainability

27 February 2023. This webinar fostered an evidence-based exchange of views and sharing of experiences among GFAR members and networks on the nature and impacts of fertilizer shortages and price hikes in their regions. It will identify possible actions and solutions that GFAR members can implement in the short, medium and longer term, including fostering better use of fertilizer and the identification and development of alternatives at the regional, national and local levels. The webinar and discussions will be recorded and made available via GFAR platforms and a short report will be drafted and shared after the event.

Recording forthcoming?

See: GFAR BLOG 21/03 A GFAR webinar: Addressing soil fertility

According to the Food security: the Commission addresses the availability and affordability of fertilisers in the EU and globally, fertile soils enable the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable. Fertilizers play a significant role in assuring soil fertility and contribute to ensure food security for all. However, the 5F crisis (food, feed, fuel, fertilizer and finance) has disrupted supply chains, worsening an already challenging situation for global fertilizer markets, affecting food prices and global food security. This comes on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of accelerating impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss in agrifood systems. This has underlined the need to foster more sustainable development pathways, better fertilizer use and the development of alternatives in developing countries and regions.

Three key issues are at stake:

1. addressing the challenges posed by the disruption of fertilizer supply chains, especially for small-scale producers;
2. supporting the development of regional and local alternatives (organic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers),
3. supporting agroecological practices to decrease the dependence to external inputs

Links for further reading

• Presentation on Fertilizers and Development - OECD
• Presentation on Soil Health for Agricultural Development - IFDC
• Presentation on Impacts of High Fertlizer prices on Small Holder Farmers in the Indo-Pacific region - David Shearer
• Presentation on African Responses to the Challenges of Soil Fertility and Sustainability - FARA
• Food security: the Commission addresses the availability and affordability of fertilisers in the EU and globally,

Related:

UNEP (2022) Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers and Ways of Minimizing Them # 72 p.

This report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) provides new insights on actions stakeholders could take to minimize the adverse impacts of pesticides and fertilizers to human and environment health.

The Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers and Ways to Minimize Them report, written in close collaboration and consultation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights the need for transformative actions and better management of pesticides and fertilizers as global demand and use of the products increases.

The report outlines six priority transformative actions to strengthen pesticide and fertilizer management:Incentivize healthy and sustainable consumer choices and consumption;
Fundamentally change crop management and adopt ecosystem-based approaches;
Promote circularity and resource efficiency;
Use economic instruments to create a level playing field for greener products and approaches;
Adopt integrated and life cycle approaches for sound pesticide and fertilizer management;
Strengthen standards and adopt corporate policies for sustainable supply chain management.