Alzbeta Klein, CEO/Director General, International Fertilizer Association
First published in Gaftaworld, a publication for members of the Grain and Feed Trade Association
IFA today signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the FAO to outline collaboration to further their shared goals and objectives with regard to the promotion of sustainable food and agriculture.
The 2021 IFA Strategic Forum explored how the fertilizer industry and its partners can help support farmers and strengthen food systems to unlock Africa’s huge potential to sustainably feed itself and others amid climate change and COVID-19 challenges.
IFA is in Glasgow for COP26 to highlight the fertilizer industry’s commitment to feeding the world sustainably.
IFA 2021, Toward a Sustainable Future confirmed the commitment of the fertilizer industry to finding solutions and creating value as it works to make the production and application of fertilizers more sustainable.
#4RFuture For this year’s Global #FertilizerDay celebrations, IFA is showcasing the fertilizer industry’s commitment to sustainability and the importance of plant nutrition for creating sustainable food systems.
To make progress on some of the world’s most pressing challenges such as food security, nutrition, climate change and inclusive economic opportunity we must look at soil as a vital asset.
As we face the challenge of how to feed the world sustainably, amid the effects of climate change and COVID-19, new partnerships and innovation in the fertilizer industry and agtech sector are more important than ever.
CNBC Africa’s Kenneth Igbomor interviewed IFA DG Alzbeta Klein on the sidelines of the High-Level Dialogue on Feeding Africa: Leadership to Scale Up Successful Innovations to talk about the work being done to increase agricultural productivity in Africa. Alzbeta discussed what the fertilizer industry is doing to sustainably increase crop yields in Africa, including tools for farmers to help optimize fertilizer use and technology services to connect smallholders to suppliers and markets.
A combination of partnerships, innovation, evidence and sustainable financing solutions will help the fertilizer industry do its part to transform food systems and support a healthy planet.
Paris, France, 26 March 2021
What would it take for food systems to tick all the boxes of sustainability: offering healthy and nutritious food to all, making the best use of arable land and urban locations, be economically viable and respectful of the environment?
Dr. Tom Bruulsema is Chair of the Scientific Panel on Responsible Plant Nutrition and has been Chief Scientist of Plant Nutrition Canada since 2019. With a passion for nutrient stewardship in agriculture, he has worked for the past 26 years with industry, environmental, and scientific groups to lead agricultural service providers in advancing sustainability.
Sustainable plant nutrition, food security and human nutrition: Lessons of the Covid-19 crisis for greater resilience
Dr. Rattan Lal was recently announced as the winner of the 2020 World Food Prize for his research on highlighting the importance of soil health for not only improving crop yields but also helping farmers adapt to and mitigate climate change.
IFA is saddened to hear of the recent loss of Prof. Alfredo Scheid Lopes who was awarded the IFA Award in 1995 for his work on the management of the infertile soils of the Cerrado region of Brazil which contributed significantly to the impressive agricultural development of the vast region and helped to protect the Amazon rainforest. His research led to a significant improvement in mineral fertilizer use efficiency at the farm level and sustainable soil fertility management.
In addition to improving human wellbeing and economic development, sustainably managed fertilizer use also has a vitally important role in supporting the environment. In honour of World Environment Day on June the 5th here’s a look at just some of the many ways that plant nutrition can help protect the environment.
While amidst the COVID situation, food is officially recognized worldwide as an “essential good” for international trade and supply chain measures, it bears emphasis that the production of most of our food is originated on the farm.
With a growing number of countries entering ongoing shutdowns, businesses temporarily closing and increasing economic turmoil, the current COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have serious short- and long-term implications for many aspects of our life, including our ability to produce and access enough food.
Global fertilizer consumption reached 193 million nutrient tons in 2017.
Sunday, March 8 is International Women’s Day! This year’s theme, #EachforEqual, focusses on the need to take action for a more gender equal and enabled world.