Anti- Synthetic Fertilizer Sentiments As AGRA forum Comes to Kigali

Sanctions and war-related disruptions in the supply of synthetic fertilizer raw materials, effectively weaponizing fertilizers and hurting farmers call for a shift away from synthetic fertilizers.

This is the gist of the report released by INKOTA, a German development organization. Meanwhile a network of over 200 African civil society Organizations, faith groups, and farmer leaders say “We must drastically minimize our structural dependence on fossil energy and especially on synthetic fertilizers in agriculture.”

According to Dr. Gideon Tups, whose research INOKTA relied on for this report, excessive consumption of animal products, the combustion of cereals and oilseeds for agrofuels, and the massive amounts of wasted foods would not have been possible without the widespread use of fertilizers.  “The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has deepened the continent’s dependence on costly imported inputs and undermined the resilience of Africa’s food systems.”

The report comes ahead of an AGRA forum Sept. 5-9, at which corporate executives, governments and donors will gather in Kigali under the banner of “Bold Action for Resilient Food Systems.” Despite the evidence from their own evaluation, AGRA continues enriching fertilizer multinationals with record profits while hunger in Africa surges to alarming levels. International Financial Institutions, including the African Development Bank, are using the current food crisis to channel public money towards these corporations and further the adoption of chemical agriculture and monocrops in Africa.”

According to Theodora Pius, a Tanzanian farmer interviewed by INKOTA farmers in many areas have failed to acquire the required amounts of fertilizer due to costs and unavailability. “In some areas, farmers have been taking steps to learn on organic soil fertilisation and in some areas  farmers have been left with no option, as even  the existing extension model by the government favors the use of fertilizers.”