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A ceremony to launch the West African regional program office of the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) was recently held in Côte d'Ivoire's economic capital, Abidjan, in the presence of several government players and scientific partners, including CORAF.

The establishment of IPNI in West Africa and the research results it will produce should provide a better understanding of the complex relationship between the physical, chemical, biological and anthropogenic processes that affect soil fertility.

Population growth in West Africa combined with soil degradation poses a threat to food security, say experts. The IPNI, a non-profit organization based in the USA, should contribute to solving these challenges in a sustainable way.

"Soil fertility management is essential for food and nutritional security", stressed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during the launch event.

Dr. Terry L. Roberts, President of IPNI, pledged to support researchers and farmers in solving the challenges of soil fertility and plant nutrition. He expressed IPNI's gratitude to the Ivorian government for agreeing to host the regional office of the IPNI program. The office is based in Yamoussoukro.

CORAF coordinates agricultural research activities in West and Central Africa. Dr. Abdulai Jalloh, CORAF's Director of Research and Innovation, emphasized the centrality of soil fertility management in the organization's new Strategic Plan. CORAF has a new long-term strategy, the main aim of which is to improve prosperity and achieve food and nutritional security for the region's populations.

"CORAF encourages you (IPNI) to take a good look at the soil fertility research landscape in West Africa to ensure that your research will add value and to avoid duplication," said Dr. Jalloh at the launch.

As part of his role as agricultural research coordinator, Dr. Jalloh promised to facilitate the necessary relationships and synergies with other organizations working in the same field.

Specifically, IPNI's West African program aims to:

• assessing the challenges of soil fertility and plant nutrient management;
• develop an effective research partnership with regional stakeholders to develop nutrient management strategies for key crops;
• build the capacity of the region's public and private extension system, through training and the creation of extension tools, to disseminate best fertilizer management practices;
• support the initiatives of members of IPNI and the Université Polytechnique Mohammed VI (UM6P) in their commitment to the region.