Top > Regional Affairs > Africa > TICAD > Illustrative List Of Ongoing and Pipeline Projects/Programs For African Development As a Reference Document for TICAD II > II. Economic Development : Promoting Private Sector(2.3 Agricultural Development) > Restoration and Maintenance of Africa's Soil Fertility

Restoration and Maintenance of Africa's Soil Fertility
Project / Program Summary

I. Basic data

Sector(s): Education, Natural Resources
Title: Restoration and Maintenance of Africa's Soil Fertility
Donor country / organization: Government of Ghana
Other donors / organizations involved: CSIR (Ghana), ISRIC, FAO, IFDG
Beneficiary countries / regions: Tropical African countries
Implementing agencies in beneficiary countries / regions: UNU, National Universities and Research Institutes in Tropical African countries
Duration: 5 years
Starting Date: 1997
Project / Program budget: $7,866,000
Finance / Type of cooperation: grant / technical cooperation

II. Project / program description

In all parts of Africa, crop yields have dropped steadily as soil fertility has declined. Nutrient depletion harms both Africa's agricultural production and its environment, causing the loss of biodiversity and Africa's unique genetic resources base. The Institute actively promotes; improve agricultural production and food security; arrest plant genetic erosion and loss of biodiversity; and combat global warning through increased carbon dioxide sequestration.

  1. Objectives
    Promote activities that emphasize an integrated approach to restoration and management of Africa's soils and the establishment of national action plans to improve soil fertility; development of a regional reference facility for research and training in the analysis of soil, water and plant materials.
  2. Activities / contents
    Phase 1. Feasibility study on development of Reference Pedological Research/Demonstration Facility for Soil, Water and Plant Analytical Laboratory (activity completed in 1996).
    Phase 2. Institutional development and expansion of laboratory facilities at the CSIR (Ghana) to serve as regional reference facility for soil, water and plant analysis. The Government of Ghana has provided some seed money for upgrading the existing facility.
    Phase 3. Development of new courses related to conservation and management of natural resources in Africa including support for M.Sc. and Ph.D fellows, visiting scholars and scientists who will conduct research and training.
  3. Expected outcomes / impacts
    1. A regional reference pedological facility for research and training;
    2. Expanded indigenous African capacity in the area as soil and water management;
    3. Increased academic/research productivity for both African and non-African scholars working on Africa's soils, water and plant resources.
  4. Features in line with the Agenda for Action
    Capacity Building, Regional Cooperation, Promoting Human Development (Education & Poverty Reduction), Environment Management.

III. Contact point:

Rector, UNU Headquarters, 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan
Fax: +8(3)3499-2828, Tel: +81(3)3499-2811

(End)

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