Agricultural experts and development organisations have raised fresh concerns over the rapid decline in soil health and fertility across West Africa, warning that worsening land degradation could undermine food security, rural livelihoods and climate resilience in the region.

Despite agriculture remaining the backbone of employment and economic activity across much of West Africa, large areas of farmland are becoming less productive due to nutrient depletion, unsustainable farming practices, climate variability and limited access to effective soil management solutions.

Recent estimates suggest that up to 65 per cent of Africa’s productive land is already degraded, while nearly 45 per cent of the continent is affected by desertification. These trends are placing increasing pressure on farming systems that millions of households depend on for survival.

Soil Degradation Threatens Food Security and Rural Livelihoods

The continued decline in soil fertility has created a cycle of reduced agricultural productivity, environmental degradation and heightened vulnerability to climate shocks such as droughts and flooding.

Experts warn that the combined effects of poor soil management and climate change are weakening the region’s ability to sustain long-term food production.

The Regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health, in a report marking its second anniversary, noted that soil degradation is no longer only an agricultural issue but also a broader economic and environmental challenge affecting food systems, ecosystem stability and climate resilience across West Africa and the Sahel.

Low Fertiliser Use and Poor Soil Management Deepen the Crisis

One of the key challenges identified is the inefficient and limited use of fertilisers across Sub-Saharan Africa. While fertilisers remain essential for improving soil productivity, their impact is often reduced by poor application practices and lack of technical guidance.

Current data shows that fertiliser use in Sub-Saharan Africa averages around 22 kilograms per hectare, significantly lower than the global average of 146 kilograms per hectare. In many cases, fertilisers are not matched to specific soil or crop needs, reducing their effectiveness and long-term benefits.

The Regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health warned that without improved soil testing, advisory services and balanced nutrient management, fertiliser use alone will not be enough to reverse declining soil fertility.

Climate Change and Soil Degradation Are Closely Linked

Experts say soil degradation and climate change are deeply interconnected, particularly in vulnerable regions such as West Africa and the Sahel.

Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, erosion, desertification and nutrient mining are reducing the ability of soils to support sustainable agricultural production. As soils lose organic matter and essential nutrients, they become less productive and more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.

At the same time, degraded soils contribute to climate change by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere, further intensifying environmental challenges.

Climate-Smart Agriculture Emerging as a Key Solution

In response to these challenges, experts are increasingly promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) as a sustainable approach to restoring soil health while improving productivity and resilience.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Climate-Smart Agriculture focuses on three core objectives: increasing agricultural productivity and incomes in a sustainable way, building resilience to climate change, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions where possible.

In practice, CSA includes a range of techniques such as balanced fertiliser use, organic soil amendments, agroforestry, crop rotation, diversification and improved water and soil moisture management.

Experts emphasise that Climate-Smart Agriculture is not a single intervention but an integrated system designed to align farming practices with natural ecological processes rather than working against them.

Soil Health Seen as Central to Climate Resilience

The Regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health stressed that improving soil quality is essential for strengthening climate resilience and ensuring long-term food security in West Africa.

Healthy soils play a critical role in storing carbon, improving water retention during droughts, reducing erosion during heavy rainfall and supporting stable crop yields.

Scientific assessments suggest that agricultural soils have significant potential for carbon sequestration when managed sustainably. This makes soil health a key component of global climate mitigation strategies.

However, experts caution that this potential can only be realised through deliberate and sustained land management practices.

Regional Initiative Pushes for Sustainable Soil Restoration

The Regional Hub for Fertiliser and Soil Health, hosted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with support from international partners including the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), OCP Africa, the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), CGIAR climate research initiatives and the International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), is leading efforts to improve soil management across the region.

The initiative focuses on promoting efficient fertiliser use through the 4R Nutrient Stewardship approach, which emphasises applying the right source of nutrients, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place.

It also supports Integrated Soil Fertility Management, which combines organic and inorganic soil inputs with sustainable agronomic practices to restore degraded soils and improve long-term productivity.

Long-Term Goals for Soil Restoration and Climate Adaptation

The Regional Hub has set ambitious targets aimed at improving soil health and agricultural resilience over the coming years.

By 2033, the initiative aims to bring at least 1.5 million hectares of farmland under improved soil health management, including increased soil organic carbon, balanced nutrient levels, reduced acidity and salinity, and lower levels of erosion.

It also aims to support at least 1.5 million farmers in adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices that improve productivity while protecting natural resources.

Urgent Need for Policy and Investment Support

Experts warn that addressing soil degradation in West Africa will require coordinated action from governments, development partners and the private sector.

They emphasise the need for stronger investment in soil testing services, farmer education, sustainable fertiliser use and climate-smart agricultural technologies.

Without urgent intervention, continued soil degradation could significantly reduce agricultural output and deepen food insecurity across the region.

However, with the right policies and investments, experts believe that restoring soil health could become one of the most effective strategies for building climate-resilient agriculture and ensuring long-term food system stability in West Africa