Africa Explores Agroecology Amid Fertilizer Crisis

Across Africa, experts are urging governments to invest in agroecology as a solution to rising fertilizer costs and supply disruptions. The current conflict involving Iran is impacting fertilizer exports, threatening food production in countries heavily reliant on imports. Previous attempts to address food crises by subsidizing chemical fertilizers in Africa often failed.

These past programs struggled to increase fertilizer use or reduce hunger, and sometimes led to debt for nations like Malawi. Fertilizer corporations maintain high profit margins—between 30 and 80 percent—on the continent, further straining farmers. Groups like Beo-neere and the Tunisian Association of Permaculture are already promoting agroecological methods with farmers across West and North Africa.

Studies of projects in 52 countries reveal that agroecological techniques increased yields of staples like cassava and sorghum by 50 to 100 percent. However, shifting away from export-focused monocropping remains a challenge to fully realizing agroecology’s benefits. The transition to sustainable systems continues, aligning with global efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.