Soil health

We promote efficient and effective use of mineral fertiliser and organic inputs, combined with good agricultural practices. The practice, known as ‘Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM)’, combines the use of mineral fertilisers and locally available soil amendments and organic matter to replenish lost nutrients. These practices improve soil quality and the efficiency of fertilisers and other agro-inputs. 

Our experts produce communication materials, extension tools and run events and training for farmers, extension workers and policy makers. But any decisions need to consider a farmers’ financial and environmental situation along with the cropping system in question in order to maximise profitability; especially smallholder farmers who are financially constrained. The best combination of crop-nutrient-rate are vital. 

Felix's story In our recent Annual Review, we ran a story on Felix, from Kiambu High School in Kenya, who won our competition run through our ASHC programme. He designed a poster which shows how integrated soil fertility (ISFM) can be combined with other practices to make farming more productive and profitable.

The Africa Soil Health Consortium (ASHC) case study Soils in most sub-Saharan countries have inherent low fertility and do not receive adequate nutrient replenishment. The Africa Soil Health Consortium (ASHC) seeks to address this. This case study shows how we are helping to build capacity and develop exemplar development communication materials on integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). Working in partnership to communicate down-to-earth messages on integrated soil fertility management (PDF)