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.
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
Addressing nutrient deficiencies in millet and sorghum, Micro-Dosing offers a low-risk, precise fertilizer application, fostering rapid crop growth. This gender-sensitive approach potentially benefits women and reduces environmental impact, aligning with climate-smart practices. Overall, it enhances agricultural efficiency, reducing poverty and promoting well-being.
To integrate this technology into your project, create a list of project activities and prerequisites, including:
Identifying the fertilizer specific to the crop,
Raising awareness with farmers about the benefits of fertilizer micro-dosing technology,
- Estimate the quantity of fertilizer needed for your project 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.
- As the technology is adopted in Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Zimbabwe, include the delivery cost to the project site and account for import clearance and duties if relevant.
Training may be crucial, and a team of trainers could provide support during project installation, including costs for training and post-training support. Develop communication materials like flyers, videos, and radio broadcasts.
For optimal results, associate this technology with varieties for Better Nutrition and Stress Resistance Dual-purpose Varieties for Crop and Livestock Integration Proactive Management of Striga Infestation.
Collaborate with agricultural development institutes and fertilizer distribution companies for successful technology implementation.
Opportunity cost per Ha
Increase in yield
Trademark
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.
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.
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 9 September 2024