The US-Israel conflict in Iran is crippling global fertiliser supplies, with 20 percent of exports unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Shipments of natural gas and sulphur, critical for fertiliser production, are also blocked, driving up costs worldwide. In Africa, where food insecurity is already rampant, this crisis threatens to deepen shortages and push millions closer to famine. The World Food Programme estimates that over 280 million people in Africa face acute food insecurity, a number that could rise sharply if fertiliser shortages persist. Development banks and policymakers are warning of a repeat of the 2008 food crisis, when soaring prices triggered riots and political instability across the continent.

Experts now argue that Africa must wean itself off imported fertilisers by investing in agroecology, a farming approach that relies on natural processes and local resources. Agroecology combines traditional knowledge with modern science to boost soil fertility, reduce pests, and increase crop yields without synthetic chemicals. Unlike industrial agriculture, which depends heavily on imported inputs, agroecology uses compost, crop rotation, and natural pest control to maintain productivity. Research from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that agroecological practices can increase yields by up to 100 percent in some African regions while cutting input costs for farmers.

Why fertiliser shortages threaten Africa’s food security

Africa imports over 60 percent of its fertilisers, leaving it vulnerable to global price swings and supply chain disruptions. The current crisis is the latest in a series of shocks that have battered the continent’s food systems, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and regional conflicts. Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia, which rely heavily on fertiliser imports, are already reporting shortages and soaring prices. In Nigeria, fertiliser prices have doubled since the start of the year, while farmers in Kenya struggle to access even basic inputs. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has warned that without urgent action, food production could drop by 20 percent in some countries, exacerbating hunger and malnutrition.

The fertiliser crisis is not just an economic issue—it’s a humanitarian one. The United Nations estimates that the number of people facing acute hunger in Africa could rise by 10 million by the end of 2024 if the crisis persists. Women and smallholder farmers, who produce most of Africa’s food, are particularly hard hit. Many cannot afford to buy fertilisers, forcing them to reduce planting or switch to less productive crops. In rural communities, this means less food on the table and fewer incomes to send children to school.

Agroecology as a proven alternative

Agroecology is not a new concept in Africa. Countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Zimbabwe have successfully implemented agroecological practices for decades, proving that chemical-free farming can sustain large populations. In Mali, the Malian Agricultural Innovation System has helped over 200,000 farmers adopt agroecological methods, resulting in a 30 percent increase in maize yields and a 50 percent reduction in input costs. Similarly, in Zimbabwe, the FAO reports that farmers using agroecology have seen their incomes rise by 40 percent while improving soil health.

Critics argue that agroecology cannot produce enough food to feed Africa’s growing population. However, studies show that agroecological systems can match or even exceed the yields of industrial farming when properly managed. For example, a 2020 study by the World Agroforestry Centre found that farms using agroecological practices in Kenya and Ethiopia produced 30-100 percent higher yields than conventional farms during drought years. The key is diversifying crops, improving soil health, and reducing reliance on external inputs—strategies that also build resilience against climate change.

What happens next?

The path forward requires immediate action from African governments, development banks, and international donors. The African Union has already called for a $1.5 billion fund to support agroecological transitions, but funding remains insufficient. Policies must prioritise research, farmer education, and access to credit for smallholders. Meanwhile, development banks are pushing for short-term fertiliser subsidies to avert a crisis, but long-term solutions must focus on reducing import dependence.

For Africa, the fertiliser crisis is a chance to rethink its food systems. By investing in agroecology, the continent can not only weather the current storm but build a more sustainable and equitable future. The choice is clear: double down on imported fertilisers and face rising hunger, or embrace agroecology and secure food sovereignty for generations to come.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Al Jazeera
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 12:05 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #aljazeera · #world-news · #middle-east · #amid · #africa · #agroecology-amid

Read the Full Story

This is a curated summary. For the complete article, original data, quotes and full analysis:

Read the full story on Al Jazeera →

All reporting rights belong to the respective author(s) at Al Jazeera. GlobalBR News summarizes publicly available content to help readers discover the most relevant global news.

Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

A África, assolada por uma crise sem precedentes nos insumos agrícolas, enfrenta uma escassez alarmante de alimentos que ameaça milhões de vidas, mas uma alternativa promissora surge no horizonte: a agroecologia, um método de cultivo livre de químicos que pode não apenas aumentar a produtividade, mas também garantir a segurança alimentar no continente. Enquanto países africanos dependem cada vez mais de importações de fertilizantes — cujos preços explodiram após a guerra na Ucrânia e as sanções ao comércio russo —, a agroecologia se apresenta como uma solução sustentável, ancorada em técnicas ancestrais adaptadas à realidade local.

No Brasil, onde a agricultura familiar e os sistemas agroecológicos vêm ganhando espaço nos últimos anos, a experiência africana pode oferecer lições valiosas, especialmente em um cenário de alta nos custos de produção e crescente preocupação com a degradação ambiental. A Embrapa e organizações como a Articulação Nacional de Agroecologia já demonstraram que modelos como o de agroflorestas e consórcios de culturas podem reduzir a dependência de insumos externos, alinhando-se às metas de reduzir emissões de carbono e promover a soberania alimentar. Para países como Moçambique, Quênia ou Malawi, onde a fome atinge níveis críticos, a mudança não é apenas uma questão de método, mas de sobrevivência.

O desafio agora é escalar essas práticas em larga escala, com investimentos em pesquisa, capacitação de agricultores e políticas públicas que priorizem a transição para sistemas mais resilientes.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

África se enfrenta a una de las peores crisis alimentarias de su historia reciente, pero entre la escasez de fertilizantes y el encarecimiento de los insumos agrícolas emerge una alternativa prometedora: la agroecología. Este modelo, basado en prácticas sostenibles y libres de químicos, no solo mitiga la dependencia de importaciones, sino que también fortalece la resiliencia de los pequeños agricultores ante el caos global de los mercados.

El contexto es crítico: la guerra en Ucrania, principal exportador de gas natural —insumo clave para fertilizantes—, disparó los precios y dejó a muchos países africanos sin acceso a estos productos esenciales. La agroecología, en cambio, apuesta por técnicas como la rotación de cultivos, el compostaje y el uso de biofertilizantes, reduciendo costes y mejorando la productividad a largo plazo. Para los lectores hispanohablantes, especialmente en regiones con problemas similares de sequía o acceso a insumos, este enfoque no solo es un ejemplo de sostenibilidad, sino también una lección sobre cómo la innovación local puede transformar la seguridad alimentaria sin depender de recursos externos.