From August 17 to 28, 2026, the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) took place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, under the theme "Restore the Lands, Restore Hope." The event focused on the importance of restoring degraded land, improving its financing, and addressing issues like land degradation, drought, and the economic significance of pastoral routes. These discussions aimed to link environmental sustainability with economic development, especially in regions most affected by desertification. A few days later, the African Food Systems Forum (AFSF) was held in Kigali, Rwanda, with a focus on the "Soil Values" program. This initiative emphasized the role of healthy soils in achieving sustainable food security, increasing agricultural incomes, and improving climate resilience in West Africa. The program is based on the idea that investing in soil health can lead to long-term agricultural and environmental benefits. The "Soil Values" program, with the motto "Investing Below Ground: Growing Africa from the Soil Up," promotes integrated soil fertility management. It combines the use of organic and mineral inputs, conservation practices, improved water management, crop rotations, and access to suitable agricultural inputs. The program aims to improve the fertility and productivity of 2 million hectares of farmland and support the resilience and well-being of 1.5 million producers, including 800,000 women, across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and northern Nigeria. It also seeks to manage over 40 watersheds and agricultural landscapes in a sustainable manner. The program, which runs from 2024 to 2033, is led by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) with support from the Dutch Development Organization (SNV), Wageningen University & Research, and several technical partners. By 2025, the program had already trained over 120,000 producers in sustainable soil management, agro-ecological practices, and climate-resilient farming. It has also initiated soil mapping, research on social inclusion and gender issues, mapping of agricultural actors and services, and the development of digital platforms to support these efforts. These actions align with the Nairobi Declaration, a key outcome of the 2024 African Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, which aims to improve the availability of quality agricultural inputs and advisory services. However, challenges such as limited access to financing, quality fertilizers, and logistical difficulties continue to hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable practices.