Two African economic groups will bring into force a fertilizer strategy, drafted by the U.S.-based International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) in a bid to increase the region's agricultural productivity.

They are Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). Representatives of the two organizations and Zambian government officials are meeting Thursday in Lusaka to discuss the strategy.

Use of fertilizer is far from sufficient in sub-Saharan Africa with 8 kg per hectare in the region, while world average of fertilizer use is 100 kg per hectare, said Zambian Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana.

Sikatana said there was need for countries in the region to scale up the supply of fertilizer to farmers by improving accessibility and affordability.

COMESA Secretary General Erastus Mwencha said the strategy would increase the productivity and competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the region.

"Availability of fertilizers for our farmers is key in arresting the soil degradation that many parts of our region have experienced due to high levels of soil mining," Mwencha said.

SADC representative Simon Mwale said the strategy will play a central role by reducing the cost of fertilizer supply in the region.

He said SADC would remain committed to ensuring that the fertilizer strategy is implemented.

The strategy, once finalized, will be presented at the fertilizer summit scheduled for June 2006 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Source: Xinhua