Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen addressed a key session at the African Fertiliser and Soil Health (AFSH) Summit. With just over eight months since the signing of the Nairobi Declaration, the event in Kampala, Uganda offered a timely opportunity to evaluate progress and reaffirm commitments to enhancing soil health and fertiliser access across the continent.
In his address, Steenhuisen noted South Africa’s vital role in advancing the declaration’s objectives, highlighting the country’s strategic position as a major producer of both organic and inorganic fertilisers.
Key takeaways included:
1. SA’s strategic role in fertiliser and soil health
“South Africa’s role within this framework is both strategic and vital. As a leading producer and supplier of both organic and inorganic fertilisers, South Africa can bolster the continent’s agricultural inputs and strengthen supply chains,” Steenhuisen stated.
He said, “Additionally, South Africa’s research institutions, expertise in sustainable farming practices, and established partnerships position it as a critical player in supporting the implementation of the declaration.”
2. Triple fertiliser production and smallholder farmer support by 2034
One of the key commitments of the Nairobi Declaration is to triple domestic fertiliser production and distribution by 2034 to improve access for smallholder farmers, particularly in rural areas.
South Africa is aligning its efforts with this commitment through the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP), which focuses on increasing production, improving yields, and ensuring inclusivity for smallholder farmers, youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
Steenhuisen explained: “Achieving this priority and the two objectives means the use of fertilisers, new technologies and contributing to positive soil health is imperative.”
3. Legislative support for sustainable fertiliser use
The minister also discussed ongoing legislative initiatives, including the formalisation of a national soil partnership forum aimed at guiding the implementation of AFSH and related international obligations. This will be governed by the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA) and the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act (SALA), both of which help ensure sustainable land and resource use.
4. Reversing land degradation and restoring soil health
At the African Fertiliser and Soil Health Summit, Steenhuisen furthermore highlighted South Africa’s commitment to improving soil health through its land care programmes. These initiatives, spread across the country’s nine provinces, aim to restore at least 30% of degraded land by 2034.
“South Africa through its land care programmes is working on soil rehabilitation programmes through the nine provinces in South Africa,” he remarked. “The new way of engaging is institutionalising the issue of regenerative agriculture into the broader legislation in our country.”
5. Knowledge sharing and capacity building
Steenhuisen also noted the importance of regional knowledge-sharing and capacity-building to promote best practices in soil fertility and fertiliser use. South Africa’s expertise in fertiliser production and its robust public sector research are seen as key resources for strengthening capacity across the continent.
“South Africa stands ready to extend its expertise to assist in capacity building relating to fertilisers and soil health,” said the minister. “South Africa has on the private sector side expertise in fertiliser production. Furthermore, the public sector has legislative and research experts to assist in building capacity in the continent.”
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