 |
IFA backs infrastructure call at World Summit
(Aug. 30, 2002) The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) is urging governments at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg to make infrastructure investment a priority in poor, rural regions. A long-time IFA member, Hydro Agri is letting the organization represent it at the World Summit.
According to a press release by the IFA:
Dr. Pedro Sanchez, the 2002 recipient of the World Food Prize, called on governments to put policies in place to make fertilizers more accessible for farmers in Africa, where soil fertility is declining. Sanchez made his remarks during summit discussions on agriculture among governments and representatives of business and industry, international organizations, farmers and other groups.
The IFA backs this call.
"The cost of transporting fertilizers 100 kilometers inland are greater than those of bringing the nutrients across the Atlantic Ocean because of the poor transport infrastructure in Africa," said Luc Maene, director general of IFA.
"Resulting high costs mean that many African farmers cannot afford the plant nutrients they desperately need. Governments, farmers and business must work together to solve this problem."
Farmers need greater market opportunities, both at local and international levels. However, if all agricultural markets were fully opened immediately, many farmers would still be left out.
The same transport systems that can lower fertilizer costs would also allow farmers in developing countries to get their products to markets. Telecommunications could help agricultural producers get real-time information to better participate in markets. Finally, investment in food processing in developing countries would allow them to export value-added goods, reducing their dependence on unpredictable commodity markets.
Prize winner
Sanchez, a Cuban farmer's son, was named winner of the 2002 World Food Prize in mid-August for helping to transform depleted tropical soil into productive agricultural land. He received USD 250,000 in recognition of his work that includes finding ways to neutralize acidity in Brazilian soil and to improve nitrogen flow in blighted farmland in Africa.
Sanchez, 62, is the former director general of the International Center for
Research in Agroforestry in Nairobi, Kenya.
The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing - without regard to race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs - the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.
Since 1986, The World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food throughout the world.
|
