Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Sub-Saharan Africa - Challenges and Opportunities (Electronic book text)

Food insecurity is a fundamental challenge to human welfare and economic growth in Africa. Low agricultural production leads to low incomes, poor nutrition, vulnerability to risk and threat and lack of empowerment. Land degradation and soil fertility depletion are considered the major threats to food security and natural resource conservation in sub-Saharan Africa. Investments in technology, policy and institutional reforms are needed to increase agricultural productivity, to ensure food security and sustained national economies. This book offers a comprehensive synthesis of agricultural research and development experiences from sub-Saharan Africa. The text highlights practical lessons from the sub-Saharan Africa region. Africa must break the cycle between poverty and land degradation by employing strategies that empower farmers economically and by promoting sustainable agricultural intensification using efficient, effective and affordable technologies. In addition, farmers and local entrepreneurs need to be linked to markets to increase their capacities to invest in sustainable land management. All these requirements need to be achieved through an integrated soil fertility management approach that is holistic and dynamic.