Event Information

Soil is integral to life. It provides a multitude of ecosystem services including nutrient cycling, water and pollutant filtration, and carbon sequestration. Soil biodiversity alone—which provides benefits like waste recycling, soil formation and nitrogen fixation—is estimated to be worth more than $1.5 trillion to the global economy.

However, soil degradation is a major problem facing many agricultural systems. In Africa alone, the economic loss associated with degraded soils is valued at $68 billion per year. Applying sustainable soil management techniques, such as integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), can support productivity gains in Sub-Saharan Africa, thereby increasing farmer incomes, improving food security and fueling economic growth.

This month’s #AskAg Twitter Chat will feature experts Katrin Glatzel from Agriculture for Impact, Ronald Vargas Rojas from the FAO and Upendra Singh from IFDC. The event will explore sustainable soil management, including key findings from Agriculture for Impact’s recently released 2014 Montpellier Panel Report, “No Ordinary Matter: Conserving, Restoring and Enhancing Africa’s Soils.”

Twitter Accounts to Follow:

Guiding Questions:

• What are the biggest hurdles in reaching farmers with ISFM and other sustainable soil management information?
• What are key findings from your research for improving productivity and food security in relation to soil management?
• What resources provide guidance for extension agents and/or development professionals to improve their soils for higher productivity?
• What are existing policies and programs that show promise for promoting sustainable soil management practices in Sub-Saharan Africa?