The climate crisis is accelerating the degradation of African soils and increasing their acidity. This is contributing to the poor productivity of the soils.

Investments to prepare the soil for agriculture cost the continent 68 billion US dollars.

Currently, 65% of cropland is degraded, which leads to low yields, according to Oluwole Fatunbi, acting director of research and innovation at the African Summit on Fertilizers and Soil Health, which is taking place in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

Other experts present at the forum said that acute soil degradation has hampered efforts to feed the continent's growing population.

"We need to increase extension services and adopt agricultural practices that help reduce the effects of climate change," said Fatunbi, stressing the need for African farmers to apply fertilizers and sustain themselves.

Manyewu Mutamba, acting head of agriculture at the African Union Development Agency - New Partnership for Africa's Development, said that the continental body had developed an action plan to guide member states in soil initiatives aimed at improving productivity.

Mutamba noted that the action plan is in line with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and provides for soil management to benefit food production for trade between citizens of neighboring countries.