APNI Convening Special Session on Soil Initiatives Towards Sustainable Agriculture in Africa at 6th International RISE-SWC Conference in Rabat, Morocco
Media Release
APNI to Convene Special Session on Soil Initiatives Towards Sustainable Agriculture in Africa at 6th International RISE-SWC Conference in Rabat, Morocco
From September 15 to 17, 2025, the 6th International RISE-SWC Conference will be held in Rabat, Morocco, under the auspices of the World Association for Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC). As part of this conference, the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), along with its partners, will organize a special session focused on soil management strategies for restoring degraded lands and building resilient agricultural systems in Africa.
Entitled “Soil Initiatives Towards Sustainable Agriculture in Africa”, this event, scheduled for September 15, will aim to address the continent’s urgent soil degradation challenges by showcasing innovative technologies for soil health assessment and novel management practices. It will feature expert-led discussions, case studies, and policy-relevant recommendations aligned with the 10-Year Action Plan of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit.
“Soil degradation is one of Africa’s most pressing challenges, affecting an estimated 70–80% of arable land and impacting over 65% of the continent’s population,” explains Session Moderator and APNI Senior Scientist, Dr. Hakim Boulal. “Soil erosion and nutrient depletion are the primary drivers of degradation, severely threatening crop productivity, food security, and environmental sustainability. Contributing factors such as land pressure, inappropriate soil and nutrient management practices, desertification, deforestation, and overgrazing further exacerbate the continent’s vulnerability.”
Restoring degraded soils is critical to securing Africa’s food future and improving livelihoods across the continent. APNI is implementing strategic initiatives to diagnose the root causes of soil degradation and develop context-specific, plant nutrition-based solutions. As a leading African institution in plant nutrition and soil fertility research, APNI collaborates with international organizations and National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) to enhance soil health across the continent.
The APNI special session at RISE-SWC will bring together experts to showcase innovative soil health technologies and management practices, fostering a new vision for sustainable soil stewardship in Africa.
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More about APNI at RISE-SWC
APNI Website: https://www.apni.net/join-us-at-6th-international-rise-swc-conference/
APNI is a not-for-profit research and development institute headquartered in Benguérir, Morocco, with the mission of enhanced plant nutrition for a resilient and food-secure Africa. The Institute works to develop and promote sustainable plant nutrition management practices and innovation through research, education, and outreach and has active programs across Africa.
Contact: Ms. Lamiaa Semmar, Communications Specialist, l.semmar@apni.net
More about RISE-SWC
Venue: Le Palais Des Congrès Rabat Bouregreg, Rabat, Morocco
Website: https://rise-swc.com
The RISE-SWC conference will explore cutting-edge strategies in the context of climate change, practical solutions will be proposed to provide strong support for addressing global climate change challenges. Participants will engage in discussions on innovative practices, integrating traditional wisdom with modern technologies, and addressing social and economic challenges. The conference aims to propose actionable solutions that can strengthen global efforts to combat climate change impacts on soil and water systems, support sustainable development, and promote technological and scientific advancements in these critical fields.