Zingore - 4R Nutrient Stewardship in the context of smallholder agriculture in Africa

Shamie Zingore IPNI Africa Program, Nairobi, Kenya Adrian Johnston IPNI Asia & Africa, Saskatoon, Canada CIALCA International Conference, Kigali, Rwanda, 24/10/2011 In the context of smallholder farming systems in Africa

Outline
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship in the context of smallholder systems in SSA
Nutrient Expert DSST for integrated application of 4Rs
Holistic assessment of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship

The food security challenge

Fertilizer use an important factor Vanlauwe et al. 2010

The four ‘Rights’ of nutrient management The focus is to match nutrient supply with crop requirements and to minimize nutrient losses from fields

The context of smallholder farming systems
‘ Low’ input use
Highly variable soil fertility conditions
Mixed cropping systems
Predominantly rain-fed
agriculture
Socio-economic constraints

The context of smallholder farming systems Livestock Fodder Manure FZ2 Poorer farmers’ cropland Wealthier farmers’ cropland Communal grazing land FZ4 (25 ha) FZ4 86 ha 400 ha Village land (600 ha) Wet and dry season grazing Grazing of crop residues 5 t ha -1 3 t ha -1 FZ2 (43 ha) FZ2 (46 ha)

Supply in plant available forms
2. Suit soil properties
3. Recognize synergisms among elements
4. Handling by famers
Right Source Maize response to nutrient application, southern Malawi

Right Rate Fertilizer use intensity (kg/ha) Tegemeo Institute, 2009 Fertilizer use intensity (kg/ha) on maize Coastal lowlands 14 Eastern lowlands 32 High potential maize zone 116 Central highlands 112 <5 25 - 50 5 -10 10 - 15 15 - 25 ND

Right Rate
Appropriately assess soil nutrient supply
2. Assess all available indigenous nutrient sources
3. Assess plant demand
4. Predict fertilizer use efficiency
Field type 1 Field type 2 Field type 3

Right Place
Recognize root-soil dynamics
Manage spatial variability
Fit needs of tillage system
Photo – A. Bationo

Assess timing of crop uptake
2. Assess dynamics of soil nutrient supply
3. Recognize timing of weather factors
4. Evaluate logistics of operations
Right Time NPK

Nutrient Expert – A DSST for applying the 4Rs Determine indigenous nutrient supply Determine NPK (X) requirements to achieve attainable yields Determine nutrient requirement for target yield – economics, farmers’ resources Minimize depletion of soil nutrients
Based on the principles of site-specific nutrient management
Assists extension agents to formulate quickly location-specific fertilizer guidelines

Nutrient Expert

Bridging the gap between science and practice

Field diagnosis tools

Productivity Profitability System durability Healthy environment Cropping System Objectives Net profit Resource Energy use Labor effic- Nutrient iencies: Water Adoption Return on investment Yield stability Soil productivity Water & air quality Farm income Working conditions Nutrient balance Nutrient loss Yield Quality Soil erosion Biodiversity Ecosystem services 4R Nutrient Stewardship - Outcomes and indicators

Concluding remarks
4R Nutrient Stewardship emphasizes sustainability with a simple message – Right source, rate, time & place.
Provides a basis for sustainable crop production intensification – with universal relevance.
Provides a means to communicate how nutrient management at the farm-scale contributes to sustainability.

Thank you http://www.ipni.net/4r

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Zingore - 4R Nutrient Stewardship in the context of smallholder agriculture in Africa

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Zingore - 4R Nutrient Stewardship in the context of smallholder agriculture in Africa Presentation Transcript