Africa's path to food security and prosperity hinges on a fundamental shift in agricultural input strategy, moving beyond mere quantity to focusing on context-aware, sustainable use, according to Prof. Hamadi Iddi Boga, the Vice President, Programs Delivery at AGRA.
Delivering a keynote address at the CropLife Uganda Agrochemical and Fertilizer Inaugural Symposium, 2025, Prof. Boga called on the agrochemical and fertilizer sector to become active partners in a “uniquely African green revolution”.
He noted that sector's role is not isolated but exists for the larger goal of a food-secure continent, ending poverty, and achieving sustainable development goals.
Prof. Boga emphasized the need to shift away from simply advocating for “more input” to demanding “better, context-aware inputs”, guided by science and evidence, which includes embracing integrated soil fertility management, blending organic inputs, targeted use of fertilizers, and precision application.
He highlighted the urgent need for better soil testing infrastructure, noting that in his experience, only a small percentage of farmers utilized such services, leading to generic and potentially harmful application of fertilizers.
According to Prof. Boga, the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSHS 2024) called for harmonized fertilizer policy, expanded soil testing, and local blending.
He urged the private sector, including agrochemical companies, to view themselves not just as suppliers but as partners in sustainable agricultural transformation, including extending their partnership to co-designing solutions tailored to local agroecological zones, and collaborating with civil society for farmer training.
He urged them to invest in trials of regenerative practices, and supporting advocacy for soil health and responsible input use.
“Agrochemical companies have a critical role beyond product supply—they must become partners in sustainable agricultural transformation," he stated, emphasizing that such collaborations build trust and shared accountability.
Prof. Boga decried the prevalence of expensive, ineffective fertilizer subsidy programs and extractive tendencies that undermine investments and fail to benefit farmers.
He instead advocated for evidence-based policies and regulatory institutions that are facilitative, not obstructive, enabling business, investment, and opportunity creation for Africa's youthful population.
“All the stakeholders here playing our different parts, we have to work together to make sure that our systems are inclusive and they are pro- growth," he said.
The implications are far-reaching. For farmers, it means access to more precise, sustainable inputs and knowledge through stronger extension systems and digital tools.
For agribusinesses, it signals a need for innovation, partnership, and a focus on sustainable solutions and local context.
Policymakers must prioritize evidence, reform regulations, invest in research and development , and move towards smarter support mechanisms.
As Africa strives towards the aspirations of the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2025), which elevates soil health and agroecological transition, Prof. Boga's insights underscore that the future of inputs lies in responsibility, resilience, and regulation, driven by strong, inclusive partnerships.
The vision for a safer, more inclusive, and environmentally responsible input system honors Kofi Annan's original call for an African Green Revolution guided by science and evidence.
Source: Nilepost