New affiliation strengthens global collaboration to advance sustainable fertilizer stewardship, soil health and food security across Southern Africa
Solidaridad (Southern Africa) has become the first Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre (REC) to join the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) as an Affiliate Member, marking a significant milestone for the organisation and reinforcing its commitment to building more sustainable, resilient and inclusive food systems across Southern Africa.
The affiliation connects Solidaridad (Southern Africa) to one of the world’s leading platforms for collaboration on plant nutrition, fertilizer stewardship, soil health and agricultural sustainability, creating new opportunities to exchange knowledge, foster innovation and strengthen partnerships across the global agricultural sector.
Working across South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique, Solidaridad partners with farmers, governments, agribusinesses, research institutions and development organisations to improve agricultural productivity while restoring natural resources. Through regenerative agriculture, climate-smart farming, responsible nutrient management, digital innovation and inclusive market systems, the organisation is helping farmers produce more sustainably while improving incomes and resilience.
“This is more than a membership, particularly at a time when the role of fertilizer is coming to the foreground. It is a strategic partnership that connects Southern Africa’s farmers with one of the world’s foremost platforms shaping the future of sustainable plant nutrition and food security. We are proud that Solidaridad (Southern Africa) is the first Regional Expertise Centre within our global network to achieve this milestone,” says Dr Jonathan Atkinson, Managing Director of Solidaridad Southern Africa.
According to Dr Atkinson, the membership of IFA will further strengthen Solidaridad’s ability to connect regional experience with global expertise, ensuring that practical lessons from Southern African smallholder farming communities contribute to international discussions on sustainable agriculture and food security.
“Farmers today must produce more food with fewer resources while adapting to climate change and restoring the health of their soils. That challenge requires collaboration across science, business, government and civil society. Joining IFA strengthens our ability to build those partnerships and accelerate practical solutions that improve livelihoods across our region,” adds Dr Atkinson.
He asserts that healthy soils are fundamental to productive agriculture, resilient farming businesses and long-term food security. By joining IFA, Solidaridad (Southern Africa) aims to strengthen collaboration on sustainable fertilizer use and nutrient management while promoting agricultural practices that increase productivity, protect natural resources and reduce environmental impacts.
The affiliation also creates opportunities to engage with global leaders across the fertilizer value chain, contribute African perspectives to international policy discussions and support innovations that benefit millions of smallholder farmers facing increasing climate and market pressures.
As Solidaridad implements its ambitious regional strategy, this milestone reinforces the organisation’s commitment to delivering practical, scalable solutions that improve lives while building resilient agricultural systems for future generations.
