Integrated Nitrogen Studies in Africa

ended

The overall objective of the INSA (Integrated Nitrogen Studies in Africa) project is to work on different aspects of the nitrogen budget in Africa, with interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary competences, based on a network of scientists from Europe and Africa. An essential output of this project will be to create an interoperable platform on N topics to a large public including academics and stakeholders, and to increase the awareness of challenges, risks and chances for a better N management in Africa. According to the “Melbourne Declaration on Responsible Nitrogen Management for a Sustainable Future” (December 2016), “Nitrogen management should strive to simultaneously improve the efficiency of nitrogen use, increase farm productivity, enhance soil health, conserve resources and reduce losses of reactive nitrogen to the environment”. The INSA network will bring its contribution to this great subject of study, and participate to drive the development of a preliminary N assessment in Africa. Many international networks of scientists already exist between countries inside and outside Africa. However, for the first time, it is proposed to link these activities in a large and sustainable network to enhance high quality and multidisciplinary research focused on nitrogen in Africa. This network will gather scientists from Europe and Africa working on ecology, atmospheric chemistry, water quality, soil science, biogeochemistry, agriculture and livestock. The interdisciplinary competences of the groups involved in INSA will help in developing innovative aspects of research on targeted questions, to sustain a dialogue between different communities of researchers, to transfer information to the public and to reinforce educational activities. Education and information sharing with a large public will help to disseminate the message of how a sustainable use of nitrogen in our environment is the key action to mitigate harmful impacts while assuring food security.