Nonprofit civil society organisation Solidaridad Southern Africa has become the first Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre (REC) to join the International Fertiliser 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.

This affiliation connects Solidaridad Southern Africa to one of the world's leading platforms for collaboration on plant nutrition, fertiliser stewardship, soil health and agricultural sustainability, thereby creating new opportunities to exchange knowledge, foster innovation and strengthen partnerships across the global agricultural sector.

Solidaridad Southern Africa MD Dr Jonathan Atkinson says the organisation’s membership of the IFA will further strengthen its ability to connect regional experience with global expertise, ensuring that practical lessons from Southern African smallholder farming communities contribute to global discussions on sustainable agriculture and food security.

“This is more than a membership, particularly at a time when the role of fertilisers 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,” he says.

Atkinson adds that healthy soils are key to productive agriculture, resilient farming business and long-term food security and, by joining the IFA, Solidaridad Southern Africa aims to strengthen collaboration on sustainable fertiliser use and nutrient management while promoting agricultural practices that increase productivity, protect natural resources and reduce environmental impacts.

“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,” Atkinson says.

Working across South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique, Solidaridad Southern Africa 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 says that it will continue helping farmers produce more sustainably while improving incomes and resilience.