The Itinerary of Soil Nutrients in Africa: Destination Anywhere?

Abstract

Despite the accelerating globalization of trade, environmental impacts and information, there remain huge disparities in the availability, cost and use of nutrients for plant production between rich and poor countries. The sustainability of African farming systems gives particular cause for concern, given the high cost and poor market opportunities faced by many small producers. Markets are essential if farmers are to be able to afford the purchase of necessary inputs. Raising productivity within African agriculture must address the challenge of tailoring policy and intervention to the diverse settings, strategies and practices found across the continent. Account must be taken of climatic risk, differences in soil quality, balancing the use of organic and mineral inputs, and returns from farming versus other activities, as well as providing a research and extension framework that supports joint learning with farmers in order to develop more sustainable cropping systems.