Nurturing human well-being

Without a doubt, fertilizer production and use needs to be carefully managed in order to minimize unwanted impacts, but by supporting the production of high quality crops in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of a growing population, fertilizers make direct contributions to human well-being.

Fertilizers, along with other inputs, are an important contributor to raising agricultural output by increasing yields and thus securing food supplies. The food crisis that emerged in 2008 raised public awareness on the fragile nature of the food production system and of the pressing need to improve agricultural production and to shore up food security . Appropriate fertilizer use also improves crop health, which makes plants more resistant to disease, pests, dry conditions and other stresses and improves the quality of the harvested produce.

Billions of people, mostly in developing countries, suffer from micronutrient malnutrition, which compromises human development. For its part, IFA has recently launched an initiative aimed at assessing how fertilizer applications can be targeted to improve human health by reducing micronutrient deficiencies.

In addition to helping fight disease, good nutrition helps ensure that children have the greatest chance of realizing their physical and mental potential. Nutrient deficiencies at critical junctures in childhood can have lifelong impacts on human development. Furthermore, it is difficult for children to concentrate on school lessons when they are hungry.

Increasing yields allows farmers to feed their families better. When they can produce more than their family can eat, they can also develop commercial activities and increase their incomes, assuming that they have access to a functioning agricultural market. However, in many developing countries farmers face numerous obstacles that keep them from providing for their families, let alone becoming entrepreneurs.

When farmer livelihoods improve, the entire family benefits. Children can be freed from farm tasks to attend school. Investments can be made in better housing and other items that improve the quality of life.

IFA has joined an agricultural coalition calling for policymakers and practitioners to develop a locally sustainable value chain for global agriculture . It emphasizes knowledge networks and policies centred on helping subsistence farmers become small-scale entrepreneurs.