Soils are key to sustainable “rural futures”: 2.5 billion people in poor countries derive their livelihoods from the agricultural sector; 1.5 billion people of these are living in smallholder households (FAO, 2012). Therefore, agriculture is the starting point for development – for lifting rural poor out of poverty – and for creating perspectives for young people.

The Agenda 2063 “The Africa we want” and the German “Marshallplan with Africa” are examples in this regard. The challenge, however, is tremendous: The production of more than 90% of our food depends on the essential ecosystem services provided by soils and other natural resources. Agricultural production needs to increase to feed a growing population with changing consumption patterns.

Further, Africa is a “young continent”. In Sub-Sahara Africa alone, the number of 15- to 24-year-olds is expected to double by 2045. It currently stands at 200 million (ibid.). Developing a thriving agricultural sector that can provide a future to these younger generations will depend on fertile soils.