Microdosing, or applying small amounts of fertilizer to crop hills, has shown promising results for improving yields in low-fertility soils in sub-Saharan Africa. Field experiments in Benin compared microdosing techniques to recommended doses and a control with no fertilizer. Microdosing outperformed the other treatments, with higher leaf area indices, grain yields of over 1 ton per hectare, and benefit-cost ratios of around 2.6. On-farm demonstrations replicated these findings, and also found that microdosing used fertilizer more efficiently than recommended doses. Ongoing research is refining optimal microdose amounts and studying long-term soil impacts to enable widespread adoption of the technique.
Planting perennial trees and grasses for food security and climate change ada...FAO
Planting perennial trees and grasses in Mali can help address food security and climate change by increasing resilience. Projects in Mopti and Sikasso regions are testing agroforestry practices like farmer managed natural regeneration of trees, improved fruit tree varieties, leafy vegetable "food banks", and fodder/fertilizer trees. Technologies being evaluated include grafting to improve indigenous trees, using species like baobab, tamarind, and shea for their nutritional benefits. Andropogon grass is being studied for its effects on soil conservation, livestock fodder, and carbon sequestration. Farmer field schools are providing a learning process to test and scale up perennial systems for improved nutrition
Soil Degradation,Factors that Contribute to Soil Fertility Depletion,Implementation of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM).Previous Research Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Integrated soil fertility management: definition and impact on productivity a...SIANI
This document discusses integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) in sub-Saharan Africa. It defines ISFM as the application of soil fertility practices adapted to local conditions, including the use of fertilizer, organic inputs, and improved crops, to maximize nutrient use efficiency and productivity. The paper explores: (1) expected fertilizer responses under different soil types; (2) combining organic resources with fertilizer; and (3) adapting practices to local conditions like soil acidity or drought. Examples are provided for sorghum, millet, legume-maize, and cassava systems. Both crop yields and soil carbon impacts of ISFM are examined.
1) The microdose technique involves applying small amounts of fertilizer or manure to crop hills at sowing or 10 days after emergence. On-farm experiments in Benin found that microdosing outperformed the recommended dose and no input controls.
2) Yields under microdosing were over 100% higher than the no-input control and 20-30% higher than the recommended dose. Benefit-cost analyses also favored microdosing.
3) Ongoing studies are refining optimal microdose amounts and assessing long-term soil impacts and nutrient leaching when combined with rainwater harvesting techniques.
SSNM is an approach to optimize soil nutrient supply over space and time to match crop requirements. It involves applying fertilizers at optimal rates based on the nutrient needs of crops and indigenous nutrient sources. SSNM aims to increase crop productivity and fertilizer efficiency while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show SSNM can increase grain yields by 7-27% and total profits by 12% compared to standard farmer practices through balanced nutrition and reduced disease and insect damage. Tools like sensors, soil sampling, and GPS help implement SSNM site-specifically.
Multiple impact of integrated watershed management in lowMutyaluSheshu
The document summarizes a case study on the impacts of an integrated watershed management program in eastern Rajasthan, India. The program focused on increasing water availability through water harvesting structures, controlling soil erosion, and improving livelihoods. Key results included higher groundwater levels, more irrigation, increased cropping intensity and diversification, improved livestock and higher incomes, especially for marginal and small farmers. The program significantly improved water resources, rural livelihoods, and the local environment and ecology.
This document summarizes an event discussing operationalizing landscape approaches to agriculture. The event included a video on ecoagriculture landscapes, a panel discussion on experiences in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and a discussion. Key points included that ecoagriculture landscapes manage agriculture to enhance livelihoods and production while conserving ecosystems. Diverse landscape strategies were highlighted from several countries. The document outlines approaches to align diverse objectives through stakeholder planning and action, potential benefits to farmers, and examples of positive impacts on smallholders and ecosystems from integrated landscape initiatives. A multi-stakeholder process for collaborative landscape management is proposed.
Microdosing, or applying small amounts of fertilizer to crop hills, has shown promising results for improving yields in low-fertility soils in sub-Saharan Africa. Field experiments in Benin compared microdosing techniques to recommended doses and a control with no fertilizer. Microdosing outperformed the other treatments, with higher leaf area indices, grain yields of over 1 ton per hectare, and benefit-cost ratios of around 2.6. On-farm demonstrations replicated these findings, and also found that microdosing used fertilizer more efficiently than recommended doses. Ongoing research is refining optimal microdose amounts and studying long-term soil impacts to enable widespread adoption of the technique.
Planting perennial trees and grasses for food security and climate change ada...FAO
Planting perennial trees and grasses in Mali can help address food security and climate change by increasing resilience. Projects in Mopti and Sikasso regions are testing agroforestry practices like farmer managed natural regeneration of trees, improved fruit tree varieties, leafy vegetable "food banks", and fodder/fertilizer trees. Technologies being evaluated include grafting to improve indigenous trees, using species like baobab, tamarind, and shea for their nutritional benefits. Andropogon grass is being studied for its effects on soil conservation, livestock fodder, and carbon sequestration. Farmer field schools are providing a learning process to test and scale up perennial systems for improved nutrition
Soil Degradation,Factors that Contribute to Soil Fertility Depletion,Implementation of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM).Previous Research Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Integrated soil fertility management: definition and impact on productivity a...SIANI
This document discusses integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) in sub-Saharan Africa. It defines ISFM as the application of soil fertility practices adapted to local conditions, including the use of fertilizer, organic inputs, and improved crops, to maximize nutrient use efficiency and productivity. The paper explores: (1) expected fertilizer responses under different soil types; (2) combining organic resources with fertilizer; and (3) adapting practices to local conditions like soil acidity or drought. Examples are provided for sorghum, millet, legume-maize, and cassava systems. Both crop yields and soil carbon impacts of ISFM are examined.
1) The microdose technique involves applying small amounts of fertilizer or manure to crop hills at sowing or 10 days after emergence. On-farm experiments in Benin found that microdosing outperformed the recommended dose and no input controls.
2) Yields under microdosing were over 100% higher than the no-input control and 20-30% higher than the recommended dose. Benefit-cost analyses also favored microdosing.
3) Ongoing studies are refining optimal microdose amounts and assessing long-term soil impacts and nutrient leaching when combined with rainwater harvesting techniques.
SSNM is an approach to optimize soil nutrient supply over space and time to match crop requirements. It involves applying fertilizers at optimal rates based on the nutrient needs of crops and indigenous nutrient sources. SSNM aims to increase crop productivity and fertilizer efficiency while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show SSNM can increase grain yields by 7-27% and total profits by 12% compared to standard farmer practices through balanced nutrition and reduced disease and insect damage. Tools like sensors, soil sampling, and GPS help implement SSNM site-specifically.
Multiple impact of integrated watershed management in lowMutyaluSheshu
The document summarizes a case study on the impacts of an integrated watershed management program in eastern Rajasthan, India. The program focused on increasing water availability through water harvesting structures, controlling soil erosion, and improving livelihoods. Key results included higher groundwater levels, more irrigation, increased cropping intensity and diversification, improved livestock and higher incomes, especially for marginal and small farmers. The program significantly improved water resources, rural livelihoods, and the local environment and ecology.
This document summarizes an event discussing operationalizing landscape approaches to agriculture. The event included a video on ecoagriculture landscapes, a panel discussion on experiences in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and a discussion. Key points included that ecoagriculture landscapes manage agriculture to enhance livelihoods and production while conserving ecosystems. Diverse landscape strategies were highlighted from several countries. The document outlines approaches to align diverse objectives through stakeholder planning and action, potential benefits to farmers, and examples of positive impacts on smallholders and ecosystems from integrated landscape initiatives. A multi-stakeholder process for collaborative landscape management is proposed.
1. The document presents an interim report on a project to improve livestock productivity in Zimbabwe through improved dry season feeding and nutrition.
2. The project aims to address problems communal farmers face like dry season feed shortages and poor quality grazing lands by utilizing locally available feed resources.
3. The report analyzes stakeholders, problems, objectives, and selection of approaches - selecting improving availability and quality of dry season feeds as the key approach. It outlines measures like silage making and utilization of byproducts that will be used to achieve the goal of increasing milk and meat production.
This document discusses an industry perspective on engaging farmers in nutrient stewardship. It outlines Growmark FS's efforts to conduct on-farm trials to demonstrate 4R nutrient stewardship strategies and products to farmers. These include soil testing, precision agriculture services, enhanced efficiency fertilizers, and biological products. Field tests show improved agronomic efficiency and yields from placement of starter fertilizers and additives. The document also discusses balancing nutrient and conservation practices and how agribusinesses are engaging farmers in 4R strategies.
This presentation highlighted the process of developing and progress made in the development of the FR and FB DST.
The site-specific fertilizer recommendation (FR) tool is built to provide an optimized and profitable site-specific fertilizer recommendations for cassava growers. The tool considers the location, soil fertility, weather condition, available fertilizers in the area, prices for fertilizer and cassava root, planned planting and harvest dates and the investment capacity of the farmers.
The nutrient omission trials (NOT) in Nigeria and Tanzania conducted by ACAI, in collaboration with the national research and development partners, show a large variation in nutrient responses indicating the need for site-specific fertilizer recommendation. ACAI is developing a crosscutting system using machine learning techniques coupled with process based crop models, LINTUL and QUEFTS, and economic optimizer algorithms to provide the site-specific recommendations. ACAI is transforming available big data like GIS layers from SoilGrids and weather data from CHIRPS and NASA to useful information that can be used to model the relationship between apparent soil nutrient supply and soil properties. Effort has also been made to identify a generic soil fertility indicator that can be easily obtained from farmers and is useful covariate to improve the accuracy of apparent soil nutrient supply predictions.
The next steps in the FR tool development include, validating the FR tool both functionally, checking if the recommendations outperform the current practices in the field and architecturally, checking user friendliness and if the tool satisfies the needs of development partners to dissemination strategy.
This document describes a technology transfer project focused on implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for farmers in Rangareddy district, India from 2011-2014. The project aimed to integrate GAP into farming systems through farmer field schools, improve farmers' knowledge and skills in GAP, and increase income through value addition and marketing. Key activities included baseline surveys, soil testing, demonstrations of improved practices for crops and livestock, and training programs. Adoption of practices like zero-tillage maize, clean milk production, and vermicomposting resulted in higher yields and incomes. Challenges included the labor intensiveness of GAP and need for group approaches to ensure sustainability of activities.
This document summarizes a study on strategies for sustainable forage corn production in New Mexico, including decreasing row spacing to 15 inches, increasing silage cutting height to 20.5 inches, and integrating cover crops. The strategies were tested on a dairy farm in Clovis, NM over 2017-2018. Key findings from the first year were that narrower row spacing increased forage and milk yields while improving forage quality, and taller cutting heights reduced yields but improved quality. No effects on soil carbon or nitrogen were found, but the strategies reduced wind speed. The modified system has potential to improve sustainability of dairy and crop farming in the region.
The document discusses approaches for developing soil fertility management recommendations based on analyses of soil and agronomic data. It describes different methods including soil testing, diagnostic trials, agronomic trials, and decision support systems. The goal is to identify soil health constraints, determine limiting nutrients, establish appropriate fertilizer application rates, and develop individualized recommendations for farmers. The document emphasizes developing recommendations that account for variability in soils, crops, and farming conditions.
Improving Agricultural Productivity of Central India through Participatory Re...ICRISAT
The overall objective of this initiative is to increase agricultural productivity and livelihood opportunities of the selected target regions in Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh via sustainable use of natural resources.
Farmers & climate change – indian perspectivemalaykutch
Farmers & Climate Change – Indian perspective outlines how agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through the use of chemical fertilizers, farm machinery, power consumption, and cattle methane generation. It also discusses how climate change will negatively impact Indian agriculture through changes in monsoon patterns, increased temperatures, more extreme weather events, and saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. The document proposes several mitigation and adaptation options for farmers, including improved soil management, reduced tillage, better cattle waste management, improving soil moisture retention, using efficient irrigation techniques, and intensive farming methods.
23 25 jan 2013 csisa kathmandu ssnm ipni kaushikCSISA
This document discusses establishing site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) in South Asia. It explains that plant nutrient availability varies spatially and temporally due to factors like genesis, topography, and cropping/fertilization history. SSNM aims to improve productivity, nutrient use efficiency, soil fertility, and farm income through spatially and temporally managing soil nutrients. The Nutrient Expert decision support tool was developed to generate simple, location-specific fertilizer recommendations for individual fields based on crop yield targets and nutrient balances. Large-scale validation trials showed Nutrient Expert recommendations improved yields, profits, and nutrient stewardship over existing farmer practices. Plans for 2013 include expanding Nutrient Expert to additional crops/systems and dissemin
Production of food in resource-constrained environments that have poor inherent soil nutrition depends on tillage and cropping systems that provide high yields, preserve soil, water and biodiversity. This research was conducted in the Guinea savannah agroecology of Ghana, during the 2015-2016 cropping seasons to evaluate the impact of tillage and cropping systems on sustainable production of maize and soybean by resource-poor farmers. The experiment was a split-split plot design with four replications. The factors consisted of tillage system at three levels (plough, ripping and direct-seeding) laid out as main plots, fertilizer rate at three levels (0 kg/ha, half the recommended rate of 30-15-15 kg/ha and the recommended optimum rate of 60-30-30 kg/ha NPK) laid as sub-plots and cropping system at two levels (sole maize, maize-soybean intercrop) laid on the sub-sub plot. Apart from leaf area that had significant three-way interaction of tillage, cropping system and fertilizer rate (p < 0.05), all other growth parameters were affected by either two factor interaction or a sole factor. Grain yield of maize was significantly influenced by sole maize and fertilizer rate with highest yield occurring under the full rate (3.4 t/ha) compared with the half rate (2.7 t/ha), amounting to yield difference of about 700 kg/ha. Yield of soybean under the integrated production was affected by interaction of tillage system and fertilizer rate. Highest soybean yield (1.4 t/ha) was recorded under the ploughed condition at the full rate of fertilizer application. Though sole maize, ploughed and with full rate of fertilizer application, gave similar benefit/cost ratio as that of the integrated production with half rate of fertilizer application, the intercropped system with half fertilizer rate resulted in 45% more increases in profit compared to the sole production with full fertilizer rate. Integrated production of maize and soybean, with half the recommended rate of NPK (30-15-15 kg/ha) is therefore recommended to resource-poor farmers in northern Ghana.
Resource conservation technologies for enhancing water productivity in field ...Nikhil Kumar
This document provides a summary of a credit seminar presentation on resource conservation technologies for enhancing water productivity in field crop production. The presentation covers topics like the definition of water productivity and resource conservation technologies. It discusses various resource conservation technologies that can help improve water productivity, such as laser land leveling, bed planting systems, zero tillage, system of rice intensification, mulching, and crop diversification. It provides examples and research findings on the benefits of these technologies in saving water and increasing crop yields and productivity. The overall aim of the presentation is to promote the adoption of resource conservation technologies for optimizing water use and enhancing agricultural productivity.
The document summarizes India's Soil Health Card scheme. The scheme aims to provide every farmer with a soil health card every 3 years containing information on soil parameters and fertilizer recommendations. It will strengthen soil testing labs and promote balanced fertilizer use. Key components include distributing soil health cards, training lab technicians, and providing farmers subsidies for applying recommended nutrients. The goal is to improve soil health nationwide and encourage sustainable nutrient management practices.
Crop Residue Considerations for Sustainable Biomass Feedstock SuppliesAmanda Bilek
This document summarizes research from the USDA-ARS REAP-DOE Regional Corn Stover Partnership on developing sustainable supplies of corn residue and other biomass feedstocks. Key findings include:
- Moderate corn stover harvest of 3.9 Mg/ha had minimal impact on subsequent grain yields, but excessive removal degraded soil quality.
- Sustainable stover harvest rates vary by site and averages mask this variability.
- Landscape diversity through cover crops and perennials can increase sustainable biomass quantities while protecting soils and water quality.
- Models show how allocating grain production across subfields of a county can maximize profit while minimizing impacts.
Sustainable describes farming systems that are "capable of maintaining their productivity and usefulness to society indefinitely.
Resource-conserving
Socially supportive
Commercially competitive
Environmentally sound
Update on ICRAF’s Africa RISING Projects in East and Southern Africaafrica-rising
ICRAF is conducting Africa RISING projects in East and Southern Africa to test improved agricultural technologies. The technologies being tested are (1) maize-grain legume-tephrosia intercropping, with various crop combinations being tested, and (2) livestock integration through leaf fodder feeding. These technologies aim to improve yields, nutrition, incomes and soil fertility. Smallholder farmers in Malawi are participating, with 22 farmers testing intercropping and 90 farmers testing livestock integration. Future activities include training farmers and continuing data collection and management in the projects' second year.
Why typologies? Approaching communities through learning about livelihood str...africa-rising
Presented by Per Hillbur (Uppsala University), Maria Klerfelt Johansson, Marcus Bengtsson and Rose Pallangyo at the Africa RISING Learning Event, Arusha, Tanzania, 11-12 November 2014
1. The document presents an interim report on a project to improve livestock productivity in Zimbabwe through improved dry season feeding and nutrition.
2. The project aims to address problems communal farmers face like dry season feed shortages and poor quality grazing lands by utilizing locally available feed resources.
3. The report analyzes stakeholders, problems, objectives, and selection of approaches - selecting improving availability and quality of dry season feeds as the key approach. It outlines measures like silage making and utilization of byproducts that will be used to achieve the goal of increasing milk and meat production.
This document discusses an industry perspective on engaging farmers in nutrient stewardship. It outlines Growmark FS's efforts to conduct on-farm trials to demonstrate 4R nutrient stewardship strategies and products to farmers. These include soil testing, precision agriculture services, enhanced efficiency fertilizers, and biological products. Field tests show improved agronomic efficiency and yields from placement of starter fertilizers and additives. The document also discusses balancing nutrient and conservation practices and how agribusinesses are engaging farmers in 4R strategies.
This presentation highlighted the process of developing and progress made in the development of the FR and FB DST.
The site-specific fertilizer recommendation (FR) tool is built to provide an optimized and profitable site-specific fertilizer recommendations for cassava growers. The tool considers the location, soil fertility, weather condition, available fertilizers in the area, prices for fertilizer and cassava root, planned planting and harvest dates and the investment capacity of the farmers.
The nutrient omission trials (NOT) in Nigeria and Tanzania conducted by ACAI, in collaboration with the national research and development partners, show a large variation in nutrient responses indicating the need for site-specific fertilizer recommendation. ACAI is developing a crosscutting system using machine learning techniques coupled with process based crop models, LINTUL and QUEFTS, and economic optimizer algorithms to provide the site-specific recommendations. ACAI is transforming available big data like GIS layers from SoilGrids and weather data from CHIRPS and NASA to useful information that can be used to model the relationship between apparent soil nutrient supply and soil properties. Effort has also been made to identify a generic soil fertility indicator that can be easily obtained from farmers and is useful covariate to improve the accuracy of apparent soil nutrient supply predictions.
The next steps in the FR tool development include, validating the FR tool both functionally, checking if the recommendations outperform the current practices in the field and architecturally, checking user friendliness and if the tool satisfies the needs of development partners to dissemination strategy.
This document describes a technology transfer project focused on implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for farmers in Rangareddy district, India from 2011-2014. The project aimed to integrate GAP into farming systems through farmer field schools, improve farmers' knowledge and skills in GAP, and increase income through value addition and marketing. Key activities included baseline surveys, soil testing, demonstrations of improved practices for crops and livestock, and training programs. Adoption of practices like zero-tillage maize, clean milk production, and vermicomposting resulted in higher yields and incomes. Challenges included the labor intensiveness of GAP and need for group approaches to ensure sustainability of activities.
This document summarizes a study on strategies for sustainable forage corn production in New Mexico, including decreasing row spacing to 15 inches, increasing silage cutting height to 20.5 inches, and integrating cover crops. The strategies were tested on a dairy farm in Clovis, NM over 2017-2018. Key findings from the first year were that narrower row spacing increased forage and milk yields while improving forage quality, and taller cutting heights reduced yields but improved quality. No effects on soil carbon or nitrogen were found, but the strategies reduced wind speed. The modified system has potential to improve sustainability of dairy and crop farming in the region.
The document discusses approaches for developing soil fertility management recommendations based on analyses of soil and agronomic data. It describes different methods including soil testing, diagnostic trials, agronomic trials, and decision support systems. The goal is to identify soil health constraints, determine limiting nutrients, establish appropriate fertilizer application rates, and develop individualized recommendations for farmers. The document emphasizes developing recommendations that account for variability in soils, crops, and farming conditions.
Improving Agricultural Productivity of Central India through Participatory Re...ICRISAT
The overall objective of this initiative is to increase agricultural productivity and livelihood opportunities of the selected target regions in Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh via sustainable use of natural resources.
Farmers & climate change – indian perspectivemalaykutch
Farmers & Climate Change – Indian perspective outlines how agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through the use of chemical fertilizers, farm machinery, power consumption, and cattle methane generation. It also discusses how climate change will negatively impact Indian agriculture through changes in monsoon patterns, increased temperatures, more extreme weather events, and saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. The document proposes several mitigation and adaptation options for farmers, including improved soil management, reduced tillage, better cattle waste management, improving soil moisture retention, using efficient irrigation techniques, and intensive farming methods.
23 25 jan 2013 csisa kathmandu ssnm ipni kaushikCSISA
This document discusses establishing site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) in South Asia. It explains that plant nutrient availability varies spatially and temporally due to factors like genesis, topography, and cropping/fertilization history. SSNM aims to improve productivity, nutrient use efficiency, soil fertility, and farm income through spatially and temporally managing soil nutrients. The Nutrient Expert decision support tool was developed to generate simple, location-specific fertilizer recommendations for individual fields based on crop yield targets and nutrient balances. Large-scale validation trials showed Nutrient Expert recommendations improved yields, profits, and nutrient stewardship over existing farmer practices. Plans for 2013 include expanding Nutrient Expert to additional crops/systems and dissemin
Production of food in resource-constrained environments that have poor inherent soil nutrition depends on tillage and cropping systems that provide high yields, preserve soil, water and biodiversity. This research was conducted in the Guinea savannah agroecology of Ghana, during the 2015-2016 cropping seasons to evaluate the impact of tillage and cropping systems on sustainable production of maize and soybean by resource-poor farmers. The experiment was a split-split plot design with four replications. The factors consisted of tillage system at three levels (plough, ripping and direct-seeding) laid out as main plots, fertilizer rate at three levels (0 kg/ha, half the recommended rate of 30-15-15 kg/ha and the recommended optimum rate of 60-30-30 kg/ha NPK) laid as sub-plots and cropping system at two levels (sole maize, maize-soybean intercrop) laid on the sub-sub plot. Apart from leaf area that had significant three-way interaction of tillage, cropping system and fertilizer rate (p < 0.05), all other growth parameters were affected by either two factor interaction or a sole factor. Grain yield of maize was significantly influenced by sole maize and fertilizer rate with highest yield occurring under the full rate (3.4 t/ha) compared with the half rate (2.7 t/ha), amounting to yield difference of about 700 kg/ha. Yield of soybean under the integrated production was affected by interaction of tillage system and fertilizer rate. Highest soybean yield (1.4 t/ha) was recorded under the ploughed condition at the full rate of fertilizer application. Though sole maize, ploughed and with full rate of fertilizer application, gave similar benefit/cost ratio as that of the integrated production with half rate of fertilizer application, the intercropped system with half fertilizer rate resulted in 45% more increases in profit compared to the sole production with full fertilizer rate. Integrated production of maize and soybean, with half the recommended rate of NPK (30-15-15 kg/ha) is therefore recommended to resource-poor farmers in northern Ghana.
Resource conservation technologies for enhancing water productivity in field ...Nikhil Kumar
This document provides a summary of a credit seminar presentation on resource conservation technologies for enhancing water productivity in field crop production. The presentation covers topics like the definition of water productivity and resource conservation technologies. It discusses various resource conservation technologies that can help improve water productivity, such as laser land leveling, bed planting systems, zero tillage, system of rice intensification, mulching, and crop diversification. It provides examples and research findings on the benefits of these technologies in saving water and increasing crop yields and productivity. The overall aim of the presentation is to promote the adoption of resource conservation technologies for optimizing water use and enhancing agricultural productivity.
The document summarizes India's Soil Health Card scheme. The scheme aims to provide every farmer with a soil health card every 3 years containing information on soil parameters and fertilizer recommendations. It will strengthen soil testing labs and promote balanced fertilizer use. Key components include distributing soil health cards, training lab technicians, and providing farmers subsidies for applying recommended nutrients. The goal is to improve soil health nationwide and encourage sustainable nutrient management practices.
Crop Residue Considerations for Sustainable Biomass Feedstock SuppliesAmanda Bilek
This document summarizes research from the USDA-ARS REAP-DOE Regional Corn Stover Partnership on developing sustainable supplies of corn residue and other biomass feedstocks. Key findings include:
- Moderate corn stover harvest of 3.9 Mg/ha had minimal impact on subsequent grain yields, but excessive removal degraded soil quality.
- Sustainable stover harvest rates vary by site and averages mask this variability.
- Landscape diversity through cover crops and perennials can increase sustainable biomass quantities while protecting soils and water quality.
- Models show how allocating grain production across subfields of a county can maximize profit while minimizing impacts.
Sustainable describes farming systems that are "capable of maintaining their productivity and usefulness to society indefinitely.
Resource-conserving
Socially supportive
Commercially competitive
Environmentally sound
Update on ICRAF’s Africa RISING Projects in East and Southern Africaafrica-rising
ICRAF is conducting Africa RISING projects in East and Southern Africa to test improved agricultural technologies. The technologies being tested are (1) maize-grain legume-tephrosia intercropping, with various crop combinations being tested, and (2) livestock integration through leaf fodder feeding. These technologies aim to improve yields, nutrition, incomes and soil fertility. Smallholder farmers in Malawi are participating, with 22 farmers testing intercropping and 90 farmers testing livestock integration. Future activities include training farmers and continuing data collection and management in the projects' second year.
Why typologies? Approaching communities through learning about livelihood str...africa-rising
Presented by Per Hillbur (Uppsala University), Maria Klerfelt Johansson, Marcus Bengtsson and Rose Pallangyo at the Africa RISING Learning Event, Arusha, Tanzania, 11-12 November 2014
Improving evidence on the impact of agricultural research and extension: Refl...africa-rising
Presented by David J. Spielman, Patrick Ward and Simrin Makhija (IFPRI) at the Africa RISING Monitoring and Evaluation Meeting, Arusha, Tanzania, 13-14 November 2014
Cost-benefit analysis of Africa RISING technologies in Tanzania: Summary of i...africa-rising
Presented by Bekele H. Kotu, A. Kimaro, M. Swamila, S. Lyimo,Yangole, V. Afari-Sefa, P. Lukuman, F. Ngulu, J. Kihara, A. Abass, Beatrice, M. Bekunda and I. Hoeschle-Zeledon (IITA) at the Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Review and Planning Meeting, Malawi, 14-16 July 2015
Africa RISING R4D approach towards agricultural intensification and climate c...africa-rising
The document summarizes the Africa RISING R4D program in Ethiopia, which aims to promote agricultural intensification and climate change adaptation. It operates in 8 research sites across 4 regions, working with various partners. The program conducts research on key issues like soil fertility and water management. It implements farm-level interventions like fodder production and soil amendments. It also carries out landscape-level activities such as watershed management. The program provides capacity building and establishes innovation platforms to facilitate knowledge sharing. Monitoring evaluates impacts on soil erosion, runoff and yields. The conclusion emphasizes partnerships, tailored technologies and stepwise watershed approaches.
Doubled-up legumes, where two legume crops are grown together, provides a sustainable approach to increasing cereal production in Malawi. The study found that growing groundnuts and pigeon peas together (doubled-up legumes) resulted in higher legume and subsequent maize yields than sole cropping. Specifically, doubled-up legumes led to a 35% increase in land equivalent ratios compared to sole cropped legumes or fertilized maize. The rotational benefits of doubled-up legumes also increased maize yields in the second year without added fertilizer compared to sole cropped legumes or unfertilized maize. This innovative practice combines the complementary traits of different legume species to improve soil fertility and
Africa RISING Research Output 1 in East and Southern Africa: Update from IFPRIafrica-rising
Presented by Carlo Azzarri, Beliyou Haile, Sara Signorelli, Cleo Roberts, Apurba Shee at the Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Review and Planning Meeting, Malawi, 14-16 July 2015
This document provides an update on the Africa RISING program. It discusses several collaborations and projects that Africa RISING is engaged in to scale up agricultural technologies in multiple countries in Africa. These include partnerships in Tanzania, work with various innovation labs, potential partnerships with other programs, an evaluation of the East and Southern Africa projects, lessons learned from a visit to the CSISA program in India, and next steps for the Africa RISING program including preparing for the next phase.
Integrated livestock feed interventions in the maize-based systems of Babati ...africa-rising
Presented by Ben A. Lukuyu, Leonard Marwa, Gregory Sikumba and David Ngunga at the Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Review and Planning Meeting, Malawi, 14-16 July 2015
Update on the Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Systems for the Eas...africa-rising
This document summarizes the results of the Africa RISING SIMLEZA-AR project in Eastern Zambia, which evaluated sustainable intensification techniques for maize-legume systems. Key findings include:
- Baby and mother conservation agriculture demonstrations reached over 800 and 28 farmers respectively across 7 agricultural camps.
- Conservation agriculture techniques like minimum tillage and crop rotation led to increased maize and soybean yields compared to traditional ridge and furrow cultivation or continuous maize.
- Maize yields after soybean rotation were higher than continuous maize, indicating crop rotation benefits.
- Benefit-cost ratios showed that while sustainable intensification benefits vary by context, crop rotation helps mitigate downside risk.
Harnessing partnerships for integrated research the africa rising – esa proje...africa-rising
A reflective presentation by Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Chief Scientist Prof. Mateete Bekunda on the vital lesson learnt in the course of implementing the project over the past five years (2011 - 2015).
Intensification of maize-legume based systems in the semi-arid areas of Tanza...africa-rising
This document summarizes research being conducted in Tanzania to intensify maize-legume farming systems in semi-arid areas. The research aims to increase farm productivity and improve the farming landscape. Key findings include:
1) Improved varieties of crops like maize, groundnuts, and pigeonpeas have increased yields compared to local varieties.
2) Integrated soil fertility management including fertilizer application has increased maize yields but response to nitrogen was low, indicating other limiting factors.
3) Soil and water conservation techniques like deep tillage and in-situ water harvesting improved yields compared to traditional practices.
4) Aflatoxin contamination was found in many crops sampled, presenting food
Developing more sustainable and productive agricultural systems - ways and meansDiraviam Jayaraj
This was presented in the Webinar on Covid-19 & Beyond: Existing Envioromental Challenges and Eco Friendly Agriculture organized by Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi in collaboration with Gramium, Tamil Nadu on 14th August 2020. It provides an overview of the status of Agriculture in India and gives the steps involved in developing Sustainable Agriculture for developing more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.
The Selva Lacandona region in Chiapas, Mexico contains diverse and threatened forest habitats that are important for biodiversity and watershed protection. Small-scale agriculture and cattle grazing have contributed to deforestation and land degradation. Through the Corredor Biologico Mesoamericano - Mexico initiative, public and private investments are coordinated to promote sustainable agricultural practices, conserve habitats, and increase farmers' access to incentives and technical support. Payments for ecosystem services also support forest protection and restoration. Combined, these efforts improve agricultural productivity and resilience while reducing environmental pressures, though barriers like poverty and lack of access to markets and information remain.
The population in the tropical uplands particularly in the Southeast Asia is rapidly increasing, but the natural resources are dwindling and degrading. Presentation provides evidence of Conservation Agriculture with Trees increasing crop yields, soil organic matter and income and resilience to environmental stresses (drought, intense rainfall, typhoons), while reducing labor and capital costs.
Sustainable intensification of maize-based systems through improved use of ph...africa-rising
Poster prepared by A.A. Kimaro, N. Amur, J. Semoka, E. Swai, P. Chivenge and P. Okori for the Africa RISING Science for Impact Workshop, Dar es Salaam, 17-19 January 2017
Landscape Restoration for Improving Ecosystem Services and Building Climate R...WRI India
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All agricultural users will adopt rice agro-ecosystem practices'
through
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did not collide with the MW proto-disc at early times, as is thought for the GSE, but instead collided with the MW disc within
the last few Gyr, consistent with the body of work surrounding the VRM.
mô tả các thí nghiệm về đánh giá tác động dòng khí hóa sau đốt
Integrated crop, soil health and livestock technologies for ecological intensification in Kongwa and Kiteto, Tanzania
1. Integrated crop, soil health and livestock technologies for ecological
intensification in Kongwa and Kiteto, Tanzania
Anthony Kimaro
ICRAF
Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Review and Planning Meeting, Malawi, 14-16 July 2015
2. Land Degradation Challenges in Kongwa and Kiteto
Test and validate
integrated soil, crop and
water management
technologies to
address land
degradation problems
and hence contribute to
SI
Jumpstart Key
findings in KK sites:
•Fragile ecosystem with
poor soil fertility and
high soil erosion
3. Land Degradation Challenges in Kongwa and Kiteto
• Improved management of land and water is a critical step
in sustainable intensification (SI) of farming systems
• Limited availability of site-specific nutrient management
guidelines for semiarid zones in Tanzania undermines
efforts to target technologies to biophysical and/or socio-
economic conditions in which farmers operate.
• Technologies adopted under these circumstances may be
risky to farmers.
• Soils in Kongwa and Kiteto districts were characterized to
assess soil fertility status and drivers of land degradation
so as to inform the development of integrated land
management options for SI.
4. Theme 2 Clusters/Components
• Soil Fertility Enhancing Technologies
• Integrated Land and Water Management Options
• Tree (Agroforestry) based technologies for SI
• Livestock - Crop integration
• Socio-economic Analysis and Adoption Monitoring
to guide technology scaling
5. Cluster 1: Biophysical Characterization of Action Sites
LDSF (Landscape)
Njoro Sentinel site
LDSF: Infiltration
Measurements in the
field (Njoro Sentinel)
Profile pit for soil
classification (0-200cm)
10km
10km
6. Soil Fertility Status in Mother Sites in KK
Site Soil Parameter Remarks (Landon)
pH 5.6 - 6.8 Medium to slight acidic
OC (%) 0.33 - 1.9 very low to low
Exch. Phosphorus
(mg/kg)
8-14 Low to medium
Total N (%) 0.06-0.15 Very low to low
CEC cmol (+)/kg soil 4.4 -10.2 Very low to low
Cluster 1: Biophysical baseline
7. Fertilizer Reccommendations for KK sites
b
ab
a a
b
c
c
a
ab
bc
0.0
1.5
3.0
4.5
6.0
0 15 30 45 60
Maizegrain(Mgha-1)
Phosphorus application rates (kg P ha-1)
2013
2014
b
a
ba
ba
ba
ba
b
a a
a
a
b
0.0
1.5
3.0
4.5
6.0
0 20 40 60 80 120
Maizegrain(Mgha-1)
Nitrogen application rate (kg N ha-1)
2013
2014
Phosphorus Nitrogen
• 30 kg P/ha for Phosphorus
• 60 kg N/ha for Nitrogen
• Expand to include microdose and tillage x fertilizer trials (2015-16)
8. • Increase efficiency of P
fertilizer use via localized
application at planting
• Sustain crops yield at
reduced inputs, especially P
• Factorial combinations of N
and P at 0, ¼, ½ and full (30
kg P/ha and 60 kg N/ha)
• Give equivalent amount in
g/hill
P-Fertilizer Microdosing in KK sites: 2015-16
9. • Farmer groups formation and training on GAP (fertilizer, spacing, improved
variety, site preparations etc.) and layout and management of demo plots
• Technologies demonstrated in 293 baby plots: Manure and fertilizer
(Minjingu mazao and Yara Mila Cereals at 30 kg P/ha and 60 kg N/ha)
under maize monoculture or intercropping with pigeonpea
• Follow up training during the off season on group dynamics, record keeping
Baby Plots: Scaling fertilizer and improved crop varieties
Farmers in Njoro village during
a training session in Dec 2014Demo plot layout
11. CONTROLOF SOILEROSION IN KITETOAND KONGWADISTRICTS
From 2012/2013 cropping season to date an attempt has been
made under “Africa RISING Project” to fast track the integration
of soil erosion control measure in cropping and land management
systems.
For effective control measures efforts have been geared towards
the use of “landscape approach” through fully engagement of
farming communities in the entire process of implementing the
followings strategies:
Application of physical and biological barriers on control
of soil erosion
Assessment of the efficacy of physical barriers for erosion
control.
Testing of in situ water harvesting technologies.
12. Application of Physical and Biological barriers on
Control of Soil Erosion in KK:
Run-off plots at Mlali village
Participatory run-off measurement at
Mlali village, Kongwa
Insitu rainwater harvesting technique at Chitego, KongwaPearl millet field with Fanya juu terrace at
Laikala village, Kongwa
Maize field with Fanya juu terrace at Njoro
village, Kiteto
13. Evaluating efficiency of physical barriers for
controlling soil water erosion: 2014 & 2015
Treatments:
• Bare plot (BP)-Reference
• Oxen ploughing
• Ox-ripping
• Tied-ridging
14. • The percentage of rainfall lost through runoff:
− 2013/2014 season: 36.4 %, 30 % and 6.7 % for conventional ox
ploughing, ox ripping and ox-ridging, respectively.
• Low runoff in tied ridging reflect the ability of ponding of
water to sustain soil moisture and crop production
• Overall tied-ridging consistently increased resilience of
farming systems against frequent and/or prolonged drought
under semiarid climate
Efficiency of Physical Barrier for Erosion Control: Results
18. Demonstrations:Scaling up soil and water Magt. technologies
• Mobilizing farmers in groups
• Training key farmers on contour layout
• Over 180 farmers have constructed contours for erosion
control. The contours are stabilized by trees and grass which
also supply fodder and improve soil fertility
19. Cluster 3: Tree (Agroforestry)-
based Technologies for SI
• Intercropping and double legume arrangements
• Shelterbelts and boundary tree planting
• Woodlots for fodder and wood supply
20. Agroforestry Options for SI
Maize stover
(Fuelwood)
Food, Fodder
Fuel, soil
fertility
Food, Fodder
Fuel & soil fertility
Tree Nursery
G. sepium on
contours: Food,
Fodder, Fuel & Soil
Fertility
Food ,
Fuelwood,
and NRM
21. • Sustained livestock productivity in semiarid central Tanzania is limited by availability of
quality feeds of sufficient amount, especially during the off season.
• Africa RISING is screening local species for fodder quality and introducing fast growing N-rich
fodder trees/shrubs in various niches (contour bunds, double-legume, woodlots,
shelterbelts) on-farm to supply supplementary high quality fodder and other benefits like
fuelwood, erosion control and soil fertility improvement
• Local browse tree species have been screened for fodder quality and best species identified
• Out of 180 farmers who have established contours, 51 farmers (30%) have planted trees for
stabilizing contours and providing ecosystem services identified above
Integrating trees for feeds &
fuelwood supply, erosion control,
and soil fertility improvement
Woodlots for fodder bank (G.
sepium) and wood supply at
Molet village, Tanzania
Fodder trees (Gliricida sepium) used to
stabilize soil erosion control contours at
Mlali Village, Tanzania
22. • The long-term ICRAF trials of intercropping Gliricidia, pigeonpea and maize suggest that this
double-up legume system can sustain crops production and improved soil fertility
• This system works well because the initial slow growth of pigeonpea relative to cereals
minimizes competition in mixture, making pigeonpea compatible with most cereal-based
systems. Also trees can be pruned during the growing season to control competition
• Africa RISING is building on this work to intensify and diversify farming systems to provide
farmers with multiple products: food, fodder and fuel from maize, pigeonpea and G. sepium
• Validation and agronomic studies are also conducted to guide on the spatial arrangement of
component which will optimize productivity at the farm level
Harvesting maize (see stover on the
ground) from the Gliricidi-pigeonpea
double legume system at Laikala,
village, Tanzania
Shelterbelt and Double Legume Systems for Food,
Feeds and Fuel Supply
New Shelterbelt at Molet
24. Cluster 4: Integrated livestock and poultry
management for productivity enhancement
• Characterization of rangelands productivity and
grazing land management systems
• Fodder/feeds quality assessment to guide
livestock and poultry feeding trials
• Characterization of indigenous chicken to select
for superior ecotypes to improve productivity
and income
25. KK Rangelands forage productivity
Grazing land CP
(g/kg DM)
Elkiushbor 42
Kibaya 28
Kimana 60
NARCO 55
PRC 56
Required 80
0
1
2
3
Herbage forage Yield
• Browse trees foliage are alternative sources of nutrients
but less is known on their nutritive values
Biomass(t/ha)
26. Species CP Species CP
Acacia spp. 100-174 Dichrostachys 154
A. senegal 205 Ximenia caffra 80
A. tortilis (pods) 160 Exotic fodder
A. mellifera 169 Gliricidia sepium 156
A. polyacantha 145 Leucaena pallida 212
A. bethanii 142 Mellia azedrach 205
Faidherbia albida 114 Leucaena spp. 231
Assessment of Nutritive Values Fodder Trees
27. Ecotype with superior qualities identified
Parameter Cocks Pullets/
hens
Body weight
(kg)
1.69 1.43
Body length
(cm)
39.08 36.83
Chest
Circumference
(cm)
31.44 30
Shank length
(cm)
9.57 8.64
Mean physical measurements (N=134)
Selection- desirable
attributes
29. • Poultry integration in Africa RISING helps to supply manure to improve soil fertility, and
provide nutrition and income to households, especially to women and children.
• Crop residues and by-products (e.g. maize bran, chuffs from maize and sunflower cake) and
tree leaves (Melia spp. and Grliricidia spp.) can also be used to make high quality poultry
feeds ; thus reducing post-harvest losses and recycling nutrients via manure.
• However, sustainable production of indigenous chickens is limited by poor feeding & disease
management and lack of superior ecotypes. Africa RISING is addressing these challenges
• Farmers already are reporting 70 eggs production within three months. This yield is similar to
the standard egg laying of 260 eggs per annum by a commercial layers’ chicken flock
Demonstrating superior
ecotypes of local chickens and
fodder tree leaves used as leaf
meal during the 2015 field
school at Mlali Village,
Tanzania
30. Economic Appraisal of Application Fertilizer Rates
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 2 3 4 5 6
Benefit cost ratio
Gross margin
Maize yield (t/ha)
Fertilizer treatments:
T1:0 kg/ha P
T2:7.5 kg/ha P
T3:15 kg/ha P
T4:30 kg/ha P
T5: 45 kg/ha P
T6: 60 kg/ha P
Yield(t/ha);Grossmargin(TZS/haandBCR
Fertilizer Rates
31. Highlights of Key Achievements
• Developed fertilizer guidelines for semiarid Tanzania
• Integrated land and water conservation techniques for
reducing runoffs by up to 80% and doubling maize yields
validated and up-scaled in action sites
• Identified superior ecotypes of indigenous chicken
• Potential fodder trees identified and introduced on-farm for
livestock/poultry feeds supplementation and other benefits
• Graduate students training (2 theses completed, 3 in
progress)
• Farmer groups formed and/or strengthened to support
scaling up of tested technologies through demonstrations
• Initiated economic appraisal and monitoring adoption of
promising technologies
• Conference presentations (4 posters in international conf.)
Editor's Notes
Causes of Land degradations
Poor tillage and crop management practices.
Extensive grazing system widely adopted in the area
Lack of knowledge on control of soil erosion among others.
Improved management of land is critical to overcoming soil related constraints to sustainable food production in degraded soils. However, limited availability of site-specific nutrient management guidelines for semiarid zones in Tanzania undermines efforts to target technologies to biophysical and/or socio-economic conditions in which farmers operate. Thus technologies adopted under these circumstances may be risky to farmers. We characterized soils in Kongwa and Kiteto districts to assess the nature and fertility status and drivers of land degradation so as to inform the development of integrated land management options for sustainable intensification. Both landscape- (Land degradation Surveillance Framework-LDSF) and field-based sampling approaches were used to collect soil data (nutrients, carbon levels, infiltration rates and types) and ecological data (land use types tree cover and density etc.)
Cluster1: Integrated Soil Fertility Management Technologies for SI
Cluster 2: Integrated Land and Water Management Options for SI
Cluster 3. Landscape based Agroforestry Options for SI
Cluster 4: Livestock - Crop integration
Scaling, economic analysis and Adoption monitoring
The land degradation surveillance framework (LDSF) sampling protocol described in UNEP (2012) was used. The LSDF involves establishing a block (sentinel site) of 10 km x 10 km. In each block, a total of 16 clusters sized 2.5 km x 2.5 km were systematically laid out (Fig. 2). Ten random plots (35 m diameter equivalent to 1,000 m2) were generated using GPS and then laid in each of the cluster, concentrated within 1 km.
Agronomic site specific application rates are:
30 kg N/ha for Phosphorus as this rate was associated with the highest maize yield (4.29 in Njoro & 4.57 in Molet = 4.4t/ha). However, farmers who can not afford this rate may use 15 kg P ha-1 as maize yield obtained by this rate was similar to the yield of the optimum rate. The CBA data are still being processed to understand the economical rate for farmers.
60 kg N/ha for Nitrogen
Expand to develop micro-dose application options for P (rates in Lilian study and sources in Swai)
Farmer groups formation and GAP training
Fertilizer/manure use, intercropping, tillage practices
Plant density (spacing, rows) & improved crop variety
Demo plot layout and other management practices
From 2012/2013 cropping season to date an attempt has been made under “Africa RISING Project” to fast track the integration of soil erosion control measure in cropping and land management systems.
For effective control measures efforts have been geared towards the use of “landscape approach” through fully engagement of farming communities in the entire process of implementing the followings strategies:
Application of physical and biological barriers on control of soil erosion
Assessment of the efficacy of physical barriers for erosion control.
Testing of in situ water harvesting technologies.
The study on the efficiency of physical barriers for controlling soil water erosion in 2013/2014 cropping season revealed that the lowest and highest runoff were 18.9 mm for tie ridging and 102.3 for conventional oxen drawn ploughing tillage system.
The ox-ripping tillage technique generated 85.6 mm of runoff .
On the other hand, the percentages of rainfall lost through runoff were respectively 36.4 %; 30 % and 6.7 % for conventional ox ploughing, ox ripping and ox-ridging.
Runoff generation in ridged treatments was generally lower than in oxen drawn ploughing tillage method.
Low runoff in tied ridging could partly be attributed to the ability of ponding of water, as opposed to other treatments namely ox-ploughing and ox-ripping tillage technique
Implication for Integrations
Tillage & Fertilizer (reserve for implications)??
Agronomics for spatial integration of promising Maize and PP varieties
Tree/shrub integration in shelterbelts/boundary planting for land management (erosional control and soil fertility) and fodder supply
Farmer integrating fodder trees on contours and other niches (intercroping, fodder bank, shelterbelts etc)
Mlali (18+5+2) Laikala (10-intercropping), Molet (6), Njoro (10-countours)=
Ask Abdala to visit Laikala and get estimate of yield from these farmers. We need to include them in the training on group dynamics, record keeping etc.
The key challenge for sustainable livestock production in semiarid areas is limited availability of feeds/fodder of sufficient quantity and quality
Characterization of rangelands and livestock management systems
Rangeland productivity (biomass)
Role of local institutions in grazing land management
Fodder bank/woodlot establishment
Fodder quality assessments to improving feeding and nutrition of livestock and poultry
Nutritive value of rangeland fodder species (fodder)
Improving feeding and nutrition of animal through supplementation of leaf meal (Melia azediract) and Acacia tortilis pods
Characterization of chicken population and enhancing production on-farm through improved feeding and nutrition
Selection of superior ecotype of indigenous chicken
Evaluation of growth performance and egg production (farmer & controlled experiments)
Formation of farmer groups for scaling up
Rangelands forage biomass productivity
Low biomass productivity (1.74- 2.65 t DM/ ha)
Low carrying capacity – (few animal / ha)
The forages have low feed protein
Browse tree foliages represent the available alternative source of nutrients although less is known on their nutritive values
Objective:
To assess herbage forage biomass productivity and nutritive value of herbage forages and browse tree spe
Browse tree foliage in farmlands, grazing lands and fodder banks form important protein supplement of the deficient protein