Restoring and maintaining the productivity of West African soils: key to sustainable development

Abstract

This report highlights the alarming situation as to low soil fertility and its continued decline in West Africa. Through literature review, a description is given of farming systems and soil fertility in the three major agro-ecological zones: the Equatorial Forest Zone, the Guinea Savanna Zone, and the Sahel-Sudan Zone. Next, the socio-economic and policy environment is depicted, both at macro-level and at farm household level. A framework is provided that may help in setting priorities for future interventions, based on policies and technologies that are potentially available to improve crop and livestock productivity and to conserve the natural resources base.