The SFP was started in 2009 by Marion Wells, James Bruges and dfg. We began our work in India and over the years have helped rural farmers develop ways of making and applying charged charcoal, called biochar, to increase soil productivity. In many cases crop yields have been increased by more than 50%, whilst using less water for irrigation and locally sourced organic fertilisers rather than expensive, imported petroleum based commercial products.
In 2014 the BBC reported the following story.
African soil crisis threatens food security
"The UN designation of 2015 as the International Year of Soils brings renewed focus on the state of our earth. A recent report generated by the Montpelier Panel warns that Africa’s soils are at risk of a level of degradation that could bring widespread food insecurity to the continent for generations. Soil erosion and degradation is a ‘quiet’ global crisis - not something many of us are aware of, or care much about. But it is a very serious issue for the planet. Some 70% of the world’s topsoil is seriously degraded and if we don’t start to care for and rebuild it now we will struggle to grow the food we need in the future. Africa’s population is predicted to expand significantly in the next century, adding to a global population boom that may reach 11 billion by 2100. The report noted that Africa’s soils are already in trouble: more than half of the arable land and a third of the grazing land is damaged. Crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa are significantly lower than in either India or China and with a growing population and poor soils this could mean widespread famine for years to come."
It is within this context that the Soil Fertility Project is coming to Namibia. Working very closely with local agencies and communities we want to help them develop sustainable ways to improve the quality of arid soils and increase food productivity.
To find out more about the SFP and it's work - click on the logo above which will direct you to the SFP website - www.soilfertilityproject.com
The new SFP Namibia website is: sfpnamibia.com
So thats the reason why I'm here and thanks to Marion and James we might make a difference.
One of my personal objectives is to make myself redundant as soon as possible and I'll know that's done when someone says - 'look what we've done'.