Phosphorus deficiency severely limits crop productivity in Africa, threatening food security and sustainability. Current application rates are far below global needs, requiring a five-fold increase. Solutions include improving fertilizer access, reducing supply chain costs, and adopting 4R Nutrient Stewardship for efficient, context-specific phosphorus use to restore soil health and resilience.

Innovative strategies to improve phosphorus efficiency along the mining–use–recovery pathway are highlighted through the approaches developed by OCP Group and UM6P’s Geology & Sustainable Mining Institute. Key measures include advanced orebody modeling for selective extraction, sensor-based ore sorting, water recycling, and desalination. Near-zero-waste mining creates value from low-grade ores and legacy waste that are integrated with circular economy principles and mine rehabilitation. These approaches offer a roadmap for sustainable phosphate management and environmental stewardship.

Phosphorus is vital for crop productivity in Africa but limited by low soil reserves, strong fixation, and poor recovery. The article emphasizes improving phosphorus use efficiency through 4R Nutrient Stewardship, soil management, and crop breeding innovations. Site-specific strategies and integrated approaches are essential for sustainable yields and food security.

Phosphorus deficiency is one of the most pervasive constraints to crop productivity and soil health in African farming systems. Its use in agriculture remains extremely low, leading to widespread negative nutrient balances, declining soil fertility, and persistently low yields. An Integrated Phosphorus 4R Management Framework that links source, rate, timing and placement considerations to productivity, profitability, and long term sustainability is proposed for increasing P use and enabling efficient and sustainable phosphorus management.

The study evaluates zinc fertilization strategies to improve rice yield in Tanzania’s Kilombero district. Field trials compared Zn sources, rates, and application methods under rain-fed and irrigated conditions. Soil-applied ZnSO. and foliar ZnSO. within a NPKS fertilizer blend were most optimal in terms of yield and in addressing the issues of widespread Zn deficiency and food security. A participatory approach enabled researchers and farmers to work together and collect data and observe rice performance under different zinc and microbial fertilizer rates and regimes in Kisawasawa village, Kilombero District, Tanzania.

Researchers focused on the short-term effects of legume planting pattern and residue management practices (i.e., incorporation immediately after harvest and mulching) on soil fertility status in contrasting environments and soils in Malawi. Results revealed substantial increase in soil nitrogen and phosphorus which would eventually improve soil health and reduce mineral fertilizer requirements for subsequent crops.

Soil nitrogen depletion remains a critical barrier to sustainable crop production in Malawi’s drought-prone smallholder farming systems. This study investigated the influence of cowpea– pigeon pea intercropping and residue management on soil nitrogen dynamics. Result show strengthened nitrogen cycling through biological nitrogen fixation, improved residue quality, and increased residue biomass. This integrated approach provides a climate-smart pathway to restore soil fertility and enhance the resilience and productivity of smallholder farming systems in Malawi’s drought-affected regions.