Amid the fertiliser crisis, Africa has a chemical-free option: Agroecology
Summary
The US-Israel conflict with Iran is causing higher costs and shortages of fertilisers, which threatens food production globally, especially in Africa. African countries face challenges with expensive fertilisers, reliance on imports, and pollution from local production, leading some experts to suggest focusing on farming methods that do not use chemicals.Key Facts
- The US-Israel war on Iran is disrupting the supply of fertilisers by blocking shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Fertiliser prices have risen sharply, making them very expensive for African farmers.
- Many African countries depend heavily on imported fertilisers, draining their foreign currency reserves.
- Past fertiliser subsidy programs in Africa often failed and led to government debt and little improvement in hunger.
- Africa’s largest urea fertiliser factory raises prices based on international markets, affecting local costs.
- Producing chemical fertilisers locally causes pollution that harms health, land, and water around factories.
- Chemical fertilisers contribute more to climate change than air travel due to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Some officials suggest supporting agroecology, farming without chemical fertilisers, as a sustainable alternative in Africa.
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