The Fertilizer Industry’s Contribution To Global Food Security
7 August 2010 The International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) believes that agricultural productivity has to be improved and food production increased in a sustainable way to find short- and long-term solutions to food security worldwide. Central to increasing agricultural productivity are agricultural inputs, and among them fertilizers. The industry insists that increasing yields and protecting the environment can go hand-in-hand by improving nutrient use efficiency and disseminating good agricultural practices, such as fertilizer best-management practices and integrated plant nutrient management.
The fertilizer industry believes:
■ Food security is a current and future priority for all countries worldwide.
■ Farmers need to be at the center of new strategies.
■ Governments should invest in their agricultural sectors and policies encouraging investment in developing countries’ agriculture should be supported.
■ Governments should devise long-term agricultural development strategies supporting the development of local agricultural markets and the farmers’ ability to answer market demands.
■ Productivity levels in most developing countries must be raised as much as possible while maintaining and building environmental sustainability.
■ Local production should be stimulated by providing farmers with the technology, the knowledge, the market information and the adequate financial services they need.
■ Women farmers should become specially targeted recipients because of their vital roles in the agricultural workforce, household food procurement and preparation, and family unit support.
■ Food security is a complex issue requiring concerted efforts over the long term. International, regional and national policies need to be coordinated and implemented in consultation with farmers.
Through the Farming First platform, the fertilizer industry has been highlighting innovative initiatives implemented by some of IFA’s members to address food security and target smallholder farmers in developing countries. Most of these examples showcase effective public-private partnerships involving a variety of agricultural actors, but also actors from other sectors such as education, research, health and telecommunications. Some projects can be carried out by the private sector alone, but business must work hand-in-hand with governments if we want to make a dramatic difference in the lives of millions of people.
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