Achieving Sustainable Land Management in Africa: What Is AGRA's Promise and Approach?.

Abstract: Increasing smallholder agricultural productivity is a prerequisite to better management of land and natural resources in sub-Sahara Africa.  This has to start with increasing the productivity of smallholder agriculture that is the dominant production system in the region.  It requires rising the per hectare yields of the important food crops and thus improving food security.  This requires improving access (physically and financially) to improved seeds, fertilizers (including organic fertilizers), markets and providing enabling policies in tandem.  This is the approach that AGRA is taking through its Soil Health Program that is being rolled out in 13 countries in ways that target millions of farmers.   Besides fertilizers, other complementary interventions promoted include conservation agriculture, rotations with grain legumes, agro-forestry and water management.  The presentation will highlight approaches being used, country-level partnerships developing, lessons emerging and their implications for sustainable land management and capacity development.