September 17, 2026 (Entebbe, Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), with support from the World Bank, concluded a four-day regional learning event focused on advancing practical solutions, investment and partnerships to address soil degradation, declining soil fertility and inefficient fertiliser use across the IGAD region.
Held under the theme “Advancing Soil Health and Fertilizer Use for Resilient Food Systems in the IGAD Region,” the IGAD Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub Learning Event brought together Member States, research institutions, regional and continental technical organisations, and other stakeholders to strengthen approaches to sustainable soil management.
Soil degradation, declining soil fertility and low fertiliser use efficiency remain significant constraints to agricultural productivity. Addressing these challenges is critical to increasing food production, restoring degraded landscapes, strengthening climate resilience and improving livelihoods.
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Daher Elmi, Director of IGAD’s Agriculture and Environment Division, Mr. Denis Kibuuka, Knowledge Management & Monitoring and Evaluation Expert at IGAD, underscored the importance of healthy soils to productive and resilient agriculture.
“Healthy soils are the foundation of productive agriculture. They support crop growth, enhance water retention and strengthen resilience to climate variability.”
Mr. Kibuuka highlighted the establishment of the IGAD Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub as a regional platform connecting governments, research and academic institutions, the private sector, farmers’ organisations and financial institutions to strengthen knowledge exchange, partnerships and investment in sustainable fertiliser systems.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Oluwole Abiodun Fatunbi, Acting Director of Research and Innovation at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), called for soil health to be viewed as an investment in the region’s broader development and resilience.
“Soil health is not just an agronomic issue. It is productive infrastructure and the foundation for food security, water security, climate resilience, rural employment and regional stability.”
Prof. Fatunbi highlighted priorities including stronger soil intelligence systems, integrated soil fertility management, resilient fertiliser and input markets, and farmer-centred interventions. He also pointed to investment opportunities in soil information infrastructure, circular nutrient systems, landscape restoration and farmer-focused financing.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mr. Alex Bambona, Assistant Commissioner for Food and Nutrition Security, reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional efforts to improve soil health and fertiliser use. He emphasised the need to translate regional and continental commitments into practical action for farmers, supported by partnerships, technical assistance, financing and enabling policies.
Across the technical sessions, participants discussed integrated soil fertility management, climate-smart approaches, digital advisory services, regional policy frameworks and the use of evidence to support better decision-making.
The Fertilizer and Soil Health Marketplace complemented these discussions by showcasing practical technologies, innovations and approaches, including fertiliser and nutrient-management solutions, soil testing, digital advisory tools, climate-smart agriculture and soil restoration practices.
Member States also brought national experience into the regional conversation. Representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda shared lessons from their respective soil-health contexts and approaches that could inform stronger action across the region.
Building on these experiences, participants identified key recommendations and actions for strengthening national responses while advancing regional cooperation on soil health and fertiliser use.
The learning event concluded with a visit to the National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NaRL), Kawanda, where participants interacted with scientists and researchers and explored practical soil and crop-management innovations, soil fertility and nutrient-management research, technology-adoption models and digital applications supporting agricultural productivity.
The lessons and recommendations emerging from the four-day engagement are expected to inform policy and technical action and support the adaptation of relevant practices across IGAD Member States.
By bringing together policy, science, technology and country experience, IGAD is helping translate regional cooperation on soil health into practical approaches that support productive agriculture, resilient livelihoods and sustainable food systems across the region.
