Training Tomorrow’s Agricultural Leaders: Highlights from WAFA–SFA One-Day Workshops

🌱 Empowering Future Agricultural Leaders: SFA–WAFA Training Initiatives in West Africa

Since July 2024, the Sustainable Fertilizer Academy (SFA), an initiative by the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), in collaboration with the West African Fertilizer Association (WAFA), has launched a series of practical workshops across several West African universities. This program aims to strengthen the skills of future agricultural professionals in sustainable soil management, nutrient efficiency, and data-driven crop nutrition.

🎯 A Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture

The SFA workshops are designed to:

• Raise awareness among students about the challenges of sustainable agriculture;
  
• Enhance local capacities in plant nutrition;
  
• Prepare a new generation of agronomists, researchers, and agricultural advisors to support the transition towards more efficient and soil-friendly farming practices.ifasfa
  

📍 Workshop Deployments in West Africa

🇳🇬 Nigeria – Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) – July 11–12, 2024

• 148 students trained
  
• Topics: Introduction to fertilizers, sustainability, nutrient recycling, biodiversity
  

🇱🇷 Liberia – Monrovia – July 29 to August 1, 2024

• United Methodist University: 48 final-year students from the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources
  
• University of Liberia: 178 students from the Faculty of Agriculture
  
• Focus: Soil health, nutrient efficiency, and responsible management
  

🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire – September–October 2024

Workshops were conducted at multiple academic institutions, reflecting the growing interest in sustainable fertilization:

• Institut International des Affaires Entrepreneuriales (IIAE): Campuses in Abidjan and Yamoussoukro – approximately 150 students
  
• Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB)
  
• Université Nangui Abrogoua (UNA)
  

The workshops provided students from faculties of agronomy and applied sciences with a one-day intensive training, structured into two 3-hour sessions, covering the following themes:

🎓 Training Theme:
"Understanding Soil Health and Sustainable Fertilizer Use"

Modules Covered:

1. Introduction to sustainability
   
2. Introduction to fertilizers
   
3. Fertilizers and sustainability
   
4. Fertilizers and biodiversity
   
5. Nutrient recycling and efficiency
   
6. Data-driven crop nutrition
   

🌍 Building a New Generation of Trained and Responsible Agricultural Professionals

These workshops represent an initial step in an ambitious regional initiative. Through this joint effort, over 1,000 students have been trained to date. The enthusiastic reception from universities and active participation from students highlight a strong commitment to more responsible agriculture.

WAFA and IFA are committed to continuing and expanding this initiative to other member countries, with upcoming trainings planned, including in Mali.