Improved soil fertility management in the Limpopo province South Africa
Sciencewithahumanface
International Crops Research Institute
for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Key messages
1. Fertilizer use is the quickest way to restore soil nutrients lost over the years and simultaneously
increase crop yields.
2. Resource-poor farmers do not buy fertilizer because they are unable to afford the large size
packages. Farmers can sustainably increase the use of fertilizer if smaller (more affordable)
packages are made available to them.
3. There is a market for small fertilizer packs among first-time users of fertilizer. This is partly
because they can experiment with less risk.
4. Public–private partnership between ICRISAT, LPDA, SASOL Nitro and Progress Milling has
managed to improve fertilizer access to smallholder farmers in the Limpopo Province.
Background
As in the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, smallholder crop production in South Africa is characterized
by the low use of agricultural inputs such as improved seeds and mineral fertilizers, low inherent
soil fertility, and nutrient-depleted soils. The situation is made worse by the monoculture of maize
and sorghum which are the staple crops in the relatively wetter and drier areas respectively.
Fertilizers have been identified as the key to improved yields. However, the challenge is that
African farmers have poor access to fertilizers and cannot always afford them (Sachs, 2008).
Also, fertilizers must be integrated with other inputs and proper soil management for their
economic potential to be realized (Adesina 2001; Sanchez et al. 1997; Ramaru et al. 2000).
Conceptual framework
In an attempt to solve these constraints, public-private partnerships were built to facilitate the
packaging and uptake of different fertilizer packs by smallholder farmers. SASOL Nitro and
Progress Milling constituted the private sector whereas the Limpopo Department of Agriculture
(LPDA) represented the public sector. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid
Tropics (ICRISAT) stood as a facilitating mechanism (Figure 1).
The primary objective of the consortium was to promote the sustainable use of fertilizer through more
affordable fertilizer packages. Progress Milling has established small marketing depots throughout
the province. ICRISAT conducted on-farm participatory trials through the soil fertility and water
management project funded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
in conjunction with LPDA and Limpopo Agricultural Strategic Team (LIMPAST) extension officers.
Figure 1. Interventions to increase fertilizer by smallholders farmers in Limpopo province.
Methodology
Two household surveys were carried out in the Limpopo Province targeting farmers who had bought
fertilizer for the 2005/06 and 2007/08 farming season. A total of 75 farmers were selected and
interviewed in the first season. In the second season 180 farmers comprising 120 buyers and 60 non-
buyers of fertilizer were interviewed. A reconnaissance survey of Progress Milling depots that had sold
small packs of fertilizer was conducted to assess the status of fertilizer sales. Thirteen depots with a
record of receiving and selling fertilizer for the season under reference were randomly selected out
of 73 depots in the province. Agricultural extension officers who were within the vicinity of the depots
were interviewed on issues regarding fertilizer use as part of the reconnaissance survey.
Results and findings
25% yield increase
In the 2005/06 season, Progress Milling dominated the fertilizer market for smallholder farmers
with a market share of 78%. This was because of the convenience to farmers of having fertilizer
sold closer to their homestead at Progress Milling depots. ICRISAT also promoted the fertilizer
application technique of microdosing through on-farm participatory trials conducted by extension
agents. As a result of all these efforts crop yield increased by at least 25% (Minde et al., 2008).
Resource-poor smallholder farmers are aware of the cost implications of production which explains
the reasons for their preference of small packs (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Reasons for buying small packs of fertilizer.
Source: ICRISAT survey data 2007
Micro-dosing demonstration in South Africa.
Farmer profile
It was farmers who were either using fertilizer for the first time; who owned small plots of land or
were involved in backyard vegetable gardening who preferred small packs. Most farmers with
experience in fertilizer use and who consistently applied fertilizer purchased 50 kg packs of fertilizer.
Way forward
Demonstration trials and training in microdosing can enhance the use of small packs for the
purposes of experimenting as a stepping stone to increased fertilizer use. The public-private
partnership − ICRISAT-LPDA-SASOL Nitro-Progress Milling − has managed to improve fertilizer
access to smallholder farmers in the Limpopo Province. However, this partnership needs to be
sustained for meaningful future access to fertilizers by farmers.
References
Adesina A. 2001. Africa’s Food Challenge. Paper presented at the launch of the Agro Natural
Resources Council of Zimbabwe, 29 October–2 November, 2001. Rockefeller Foundation, Harare,
Zimbabwe.
Minde, I.J., Tarisayi Pedzisa and John Dimes 2008. Improving access and utilization of fertilizer by
smallholder farmers in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Project Report No. 3. ICRISAT-IDRC,
ICRISAT, Bulawayo 43pp.
Ramaru J, Mamabolo Z and Lekgoro J. 2000. Improving soil fertility management in South Africa:
Learning through participatory extension approaches. Managing Africa’s Soils No.19. Nottingham,
UK: Russell Press.14pp.
Sachs J. 2008. A new deal for poor farmers. Policy Innovations Carnegie Council’s online magazine.
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/ sachs141
Sanchez PA. 2002. Ecology Soil Fertility and Hunger in Africa. Science 295:2019−2020.
This work was funded by IDRC
Masenya Masenya, Jean Simpungwe, John Dimes,
Tarisayi Pedzisa and Isaac Minde
Masenya Masenya, Jean Simpungwe, John Dimes,
Tarisayi Pedzisa and Isaac Minde