Tanzania, Sept. 4 -- Kigali. Private-sector players in Africa's agriculture sector have called for increased investment, better fertiliser use and policies to promote sustainable soil management as soil degradation threatens agricultural productivity.

The concerns were raised at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali during a discussion on the private sector's role in improving soil health and strengthening food systems.

Africa Fertiliser Industry Development Association (AFIDA) Director General and CEO Dr Innocent Okuku said about 60 percent of Africa's cropland is estimated to have degraded soils, largely because of poor soil management.

"Fertiliser is neither good nor bad. You can make it good if you use it correctly, and you ...