ECOWAS forges a strengthened partnership with the regional hub for advancement in soil health

15 November 2024

On 11 October, IITA - CGIAR welcomed a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the Fertilizer and Soil Health Regional Hub for West Africa and the Sahel at the Institute's headquarters in Ibadan. The delegation was warmly received by Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery (DDG-P4D) Kenton Dashiell , Deputy Director General, Research for Development (DDG-R4D) Bernard Vanlauwe , and other members of the IITA team. This visit underscored the collaborative commitment to advancing soil health and sustainable agricultural practices across the regions.

In his welcome remarks, Dashiell emphasized IITA's commitment to advancing research and impactful delivery, which is made possible through strategic partnerships. He noted, "Today marks the beginning of a strengthened partnership with ECOWAS, ensuring that the Hub's mission is fully accomplished and that we collectively drive sustainable progress across the region."

At the Regional Hub, Vanlauwe provided an overview of the Regional Hub's objectives and vision, detailing how the coalition of partners is actively working to enhance agrifood and soil systems in the region. He highlighted the collaborative efforts to address pressing challenges in sustainable agriculture and soil health.

ECOWAS Director for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alain Sy Traore, explained that ECOWAS has established a regional regulation on fertilizer quality control in West Africa, encompassing its fifteen member states along with Chad and Mauritania in a collaborative decision-making effort. He identified that the visit was an opportunity to raise awareness about fertilizer and soil health models and explore potential collaboration areas. IITA's role includes support in capacity building and provision of laboratory equipment.

During the visit, technical presentations and live demonstrations were conducted on digital soil maps, an agronomic advisory app (AgWise), and agronomic data resources. The speakers highlighted the critical role of agricultural data management through platforms such as GARDIAN and CARO B. They explained how these tools provide essential solutions to challenges in soil fertility management. The Regional Hub further supports partners by offering access to open, standardized agricultural data, empowering them to generate and utilize data for advanced analytics and sustainable agricultural practices.

The delegation proceeded with a tour of the Regional Hub's laboratory, where IITA Analytical Services Manager Joseph Uponi gave an in-depth overview of soil testing techniques. Uponi emphasized that accurate results can be achieved by utilizing modern technologies most efficiently while prioritizing environmentally safe approaches for fertilizer use.

The visit concluded with an engaging, interactive session, during which the delegation discussed insights and addressed questions about the hub's initiatives.

Contributed by Anita Akinyomade