Transforming African Agriculture: Scaling 4R Nutrient Stewardship to Tackle Population Growth and Food Security
By Sara Lamsili, Jnr Project Communication Mgr
Dr. Canon Savala, Dr. James Mutegi, Senior Scientists at APNI
From August 27-29, 2024, APNI hosted an interactive workshop in Marrakech, bringing together experts Kenya, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Uganda and Canada to discuss the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. Participants, including specialists from fields like agronomy, environmental modeling, and soil health, examined the evolving role of 4R in sustainable agriculture. Discussions focused on adapting the 4R principles—Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place—within the context of Africa’s agricultural landscape, and the need for sustainability, resilience, and climate-smart practices.
Dr. Tom Bruulsema, Chief Scientist at Plant Nutrition Canada, led the discussions. Experts analyzed how the 4R framework can drive both productivity and resilience by aligning crop nutrition with broader environmental goals, like carbon sequestration and improved water management. The workshop provided a platform for a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities of adopting 4R practices at various scales, from smallholder farms to commercial enterprises across the continent.
Dr. Tom Bruulsema, Chief Scientist at Plant Nutrition Canada
“Africa’s population, currently representing 18% of the global total, is projected to reach 41% by 2100. In response to growing population pressures and with nearly 300 million people undernourished, there is an urgent need for climate-smart plant nutrition and soil health practices to meet future food demands. – Dr. Kaushik Majumdar, Director General of APNI
APNI’s 2030 Strategy was emphasized, as the institute aims to position itself as a leader in guiding sustainable nutrient management practices across Africa, integrating scientific insights with real-world farming applications. The three-day event culminated in setting goals for future collaborations, knowledge generation, and the integration of innovative agricultural practices.
Brainstorm session during the workshop.
“APNI is committed to driving agricultural innovation that not only increases yields but enhances the long-term sustainability of African agri-food systems. The 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework is a pivotal tool for achieving this. – Shamie Zingore, Director of Research and Development
About APNI
The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), established during 2019, is a not-for-profit research and development organization headquartered in Benguérir, Morocco. APNI’s mission is enhanced plant nutrition for a resilient and food-secure Africa. APNI develops fundamental and applied knowledge, know-how, and methodologies. By working closely with strategic partners across Africa, APNI ensures that these advances are adapted to specific local conditions and crops, and then adopted by farmers. A shared goal for APNI’s initiatives is capacity building for farming families to secure them against internal and external market shocks, generate better incomes, and improve food security and nutrition. Plant nutrition research remains central to private and public sector investments in support of African farmers. APNI field offices are in Settat, Morocco; Nairobi, Kenya; and Yamoussoukro, Côted’Ivoire. More on www.apni.net
