On June 11 and 12, 2025, Abidjan hosted a regional meeting dedicated to sustainable soil management and rural development, organized as part of the Soil Values program, with financial support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands amounting to 100 million euros over ten years. The main objective was to validate a consultation strategy for soil restoration, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The Soil Values program aims to impact 1.5 million smallholder farmers, including 800,000 women, and promote sustainable management on 2 million hectares of agricultural land. The program aligns with continental frameworks such as the Nairobi Declaration, the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Indeed, land degradation remains a major obstacle to agricultural productivity and food security on the continent. It leads to lower yields, instability in agricultural incomes, and worsens food insecurity.
The meeting brought together representatives from governments, the private sector, farmer organizations, and technical partners to discuss economically viable solutions to preserve soil fertility.
“Soil Values is one of the instruments for implementing the Nairobi Declaration and the AFSH Action Plan, directly contributing to Africa’s ambitions in food security and climate resilience,” emphasized Yemisrach Getachew Aseffa, Senior Partnerships Officer, African Union Commission – Coordinator for the implementation of the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan.
“We need to refine the strategy and demonstrate, with concrete evidence, that we will keep our promises. It’s an ongoing process. We will continue to work with our partners and consultants to ensure that our theory of change translates into tangible impact,” said Dr. Asseta Diallo, soil health specialist at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Reaching 1.5 million smallholder farmers and covering 2 million hectares of agricultural land
The program’s positioning in the regional ecosystem was also discussed: “A lot is happening in the region. We need to ask ourselves: Who are we? Where are we going? What is our contribution? What is our role – and with what tools?” stated Eric Smaling, Acting Program Director.
For Dr. Oumou Camara, Vice President of Global Programs at IFDC: “We must always keep our goals in mind: reaching 1.5 million smallholder farmers and covering 2 million hectares of agricultural land. To achieve this, we will need to build strong collective efforts. No actor can do it alone. Together, we can achieve this ambition.”
Finally, Alain Sy Traoré, representative of ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of maintaining a conducive environment for cooperation: “As we conclude this meeting, let us remember that our strength lies in strong collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and seeking collective impact. We must continue to share knowledge and enhance its dissemination throughout the region.”
