Precision Fertilizer Micro-Dosing for Millet and Sorghum Yield Enhancement

Smarter Fertilizer, Stronger Crops: Maximize Growth with Minimal Input

The Fertilizer Micro-Dosing for Enhanced Yield and Efficiency Technology is a practice that involves applying small amounts of fertilizer in shallow holes at the base of each plant. This precise method is low-risk, affordable, and efficient.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 7/9

Cost: $$$ 43 USD

Opportunity cost per Ha

ROI: $$$ 15—28 %

Increase in yield

IP

Trademark

Problem

Nutrient deficiencies in millet and sorghum
Inefficient and risky fertilizer application methods
Insufficient nutrient replenishment and gradual soil fertility decline
Crop failure risk due to drought discouraging fertilizer investment
Nutrient deficiencies in millet and sorghum
Inefficient and risky fertilizer application methods
Insufficient nutrient replenishment and gradual soil fertility decline
Crop failure risk due to drought discouraging fertilizer investment

Solution

Addressing nutrient deficiencies in millet and sorghum
Providing a low-risk and precise fertilizer application method
Fostering rapid crop growth

Key points to design your business plan

This technology is beneficial for one main group: the end users (farmers):

Optimize your millet and sorghum cultivation with Micro-Dosing, a precise and low-risk fertilizer application. For the cost structure, after identifying the fertilizer specific to the crop :

Estimate the quantity of fertilizer needed for your production knowing that the total amount of fertilizer used in micro-dosing varies depending on the crop type and planting density. Millet grown at 16,666 plants per ha requires about 50 kg of fertilizer. Sorghum cultivated at a density of 26,666 plants per ha requires about 100 kg of fertilizer per ha. Applying compound fertilizer NPK (15-15-15) at a rate of 60 kg ha-1 is equivalent to 6 g per plant/hill, and DAP (18-46-0) at a rate of 20 kg ha-1 corresponds to 2 g per plant/hill.

Training may be important

As key partners you need agro dealers.

You need to estimate the profit realized with the use of this practice

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive high

Under 18: Positive medium

Women: Positive medium

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Water use: Same amount of water used

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	Tested	Adopted
Chad	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	Tested	Adopted
Mali	Tested	Adopted
Niger	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	Tested	Adopted
Senegal	Tested	Adopted
Sudan	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid		–		–
Subhumid		–		–
Humid	–	–	–	–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Procedure for implementing the technology of "Fertilizer Micro-Dosing to Enhance Yield and Use Efficiency":

1. Micro-dosing offers a low-risk strategy for farmers by using small and affordable quantities of inputs.

2. Fertilizer applied in shallow holes at the base of each plant is placed close to active roots, allowing crops to establish more quickly and absorb nutrients and water efficiently.

3. It decreases the investment costs of farmers and increases yield responses even with lower rates of fertilizer application.

4. Proportionally fewer nutrients from mineral inputs are lost to the environment.

5. Combining micro-dosing with organic matter input, water harvesting, and contour bunding techniques enhances nutrient assimilation.

6. The technology is adaptable to various millet and sorghum growing areas in Sub-Saharan Africa, including drylands.

7. It is particularly suitable for resource-limited farmers working on degraded lands who cannot afford recommended amounts of mineral fertilizers.

Last updated on 2 October 2024