News

Due to the rapid spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), governments around the world have imposed restrictions on various forms of travel and trade. In many African countries, where rates of food insecurity and malnutrition remain high, a prolonged restriction on the import and distribution of agricultural inputs could have a profound negative impact on food production, leading to a hunger crisis in addition to a health crisis.

IFDC, WAFA and AfricaFertilizer.org are working to ensure that fertilizers and other agricultural inputs are not restricted, but rather supported by government decisions, so that they can continue to reach farmers in time for the growing season. This initiative is supported by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Fertilizer Observatory is designed to provide weekly updates to stakeholders in ECOWAS countries, including Chad and Mauritania, using data collected around 10 indicators. These indicators are linked to a variety of information such as the spread of COVID-19, measures taken by country governments and logistical constraints affecting fertilizer flows.

Find the latest issues of West Africa Fertilizer Observatory