As part of activities marking World Soil Day 2025, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), through its flagship Soil Values Program, will on December 5 host a regional high-level webinar to highlight the significance of the day.
The webinar, according to the IFDC is aimed at strengthening political commitment, sharing scientific evidence, and accelerating inclusive partnerships for soil restoration across the Sahel.
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Scheduled to hold from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. GMT, the virtual event carries the theme: “Healthy Soils for a Resilient Future: Turning Evidence, Partnerships, and Inclusion into Action.”
The Sahel and wider West African region continue to suffer rapid soil degradation driven by climate change, unsustainable land use, and declining soil fertility.
These challenges threaten food production, diminish farmers’ livelihoods, and deepen vulnerabilities across rural communities. The webinar seeks to address these concerns by convening a diverse group of stakeholders committed to charting a sustainable path forward.
Participants will include policymakers, researchers, producers’ associations, regional bodies, development partners, private-sector actors, journalists, and members of soil health coalitions working to advance resilient food systems in the subregion
The event will feature high-level presentations and panel discussions by leading experts in soil health, agronomy, policy, and inclusion.
Confirmed speakers include: Henk van Duijn, President and CEO of IFDC, Dr. Oumou Camara, Vice President, Global Programs, IFDC, Eric Smaling, Outgoing Soil Values Program Director, and Nassourou Diallo, Deputy Program Director – Partnership, Soil Values.
Others are; Hwyere Mary, Multi-Country Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Expert, SNV, Asseta Diallo, Senior Specialist, Soil Health and Integrated Management, AGRA and Dr. Francis Silatsa, Soil Scientist and Project Leader, ISRIC – World Soil Information
According to the organizers, discussions will center on evidence-based approaches to restoring degraded lands, improving soil management practices, leveraging regional partnerships, and ensuring that women, youth, and vulnerable groups are fully included in soil restoration interventions.
Agro Climate News reports that the World Soil Day, celebrated annually on December 5, highlights the critical importance of healthy soils for food security, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.
The Soil Values Program—operating across multiple Sahelian countries—continues to play a pivotal role in mobilizing political will, improving soil data systems, and scaling proven soil fertility interventions.
The upcoming webinar is expected to generate actionable recommendations and reinforce collaboration among actors working to rehabilitate soils and safeguard the region’s agricultural future.
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