Soil health

This toolkit is a set of methods, practices, or products used to maintain or enhance the quality and fertility of soils. They include techniques such as crop management, the use of organic fertilizers, crop rotation, and other sustainable agricultural practices aimed at preserving soil health and maximizing crop yields.

18 results

ABC Grower: Biomineralization of weeds for soil improvement

Solar-Powered, Cost-Effective, and Ecologically Smart BioFertilizer for Thriving Crops and Sustainable Agriculture To address challenges like climate-induced land degradation and the limited adoption of traditional composting, ABC Grower emerges as an innovative solution. With efficient and cost-effective fertilization, precise formulation for improved efficiency, solar-powered production, and economic valorization of weeds, ABC Grower aligns with the agroecological transition in West Africa, offering a sustainable response to evolving agricultural needs.


Private sector Pre-validated 9•8 3 Cost: $$$ ROI: $$$

Turbocrop: Field crop plant establishment biostimulant

Specialized biostimulant for root development and vegetative growth on field crops Turbocrop stands as a specialized biostimulant, strategically crafted to elevate root development and stimulate vegetative growth across crops. The formulation is tailored to fortify plants against abiotic stressors, encompassing extreme temperatures, drought conditions, and nutrient deficiencies. Its multifaceted benefits include enhanced root architecture, optimized nutrient utilization, and holistic support for robust plant growth, ultimately contributing to improved crop resilience and productivity.


Private sector Pre-validated 9•9 5 Cost: $$$

Soybean inoculant: Rhyzobium inoculant range, various strains

N-fixing bacteria to reduce chemical fertilizer use Stimuplant is an inoculant designed for diverse legume crops, leveraging a symbiotic association with Rhizobia bacteria. This unique collaboration enhances nitrogen levels in the soil, contributing 40 to 150 kg per hectare. Certified with CERES organic certification, Stimuplant ensures sustainable and organic farming practices. The innovative UPL powder carrier technology shields bacteria from harsh environmental conditions, providing extended shelf life (9 months) and offering practical packaging tailored for smallholder farmers. This multifaceted solution addresses nitrogen scarcity, promotes organic certification, and enhances the accessibility of inoculants for farmers.


Private sector Pre-validated 9•9 4 Cost: $$$ ROI: $$$

Specialty Fertilizer Blends for Common Bean

Boost your Bean Production Yield In Sub-Saharan Africa, common bean production faces challenges due to poor soil nutrient availability. To address this issue, specialized fertilizer blends designed for common beans offer a balanced mix of nutrients, including phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and sometimes starter nitrogen, tailored to soil conditions and crop needs. These custom blends, combined with the right application timing and methods, significantly boost common bean productivity, nitrogen fixation, and resilience to environmental stressors, ultimately leading to improved yields and crop quality. This technology plays a vital role in enhancing food security and income for bean farmers in the region.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 1

Conservation agriculture: Minimal Tillage and Surface Mulching of Soils

Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Farming In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where dry tropical conditions and diminishing soil fertility pose significant challenges to wheat production, the adoption of Minimal Tillage and Surface Mulching of Soils is paramount. Traditional farming practices, characterized by excessive tillage and minimal organic matter incorporation, have led to the degradation of crucial soil functions, including nutrient retention and water management. With dwindling water resources due to drought spells and overexploitation, Conservation Agriculture (CA) emerges as a cost-effective solution. CA enhances wheat grain yields, ensures resilience to water scarcity, and benefits both farmers' incomes and the environment by promoting soil biodiversity, reducing emissions, and sequestering carbon, making it a vital strategy for sustainable wheat production in dryland farming systems.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 8•7 4 Cost: $$$

Seed Inoculation with Rhizobia

Boosting Crops, Nourishing Communities In agriculture, the introduction of seed inoculation with elite rhizobium strains has emerged as a pivotal development. This technology effectively addresses the nitrogen limitations often constraining legume productivity, offering small-scale farmers in Africa a cost-effective means to boost legume production, which is vital for their food, nutrition, and income. By harnessing biological nitrogen fixation, this innovation helps bridge the nutrient gap and plays a significant role in enhancing agricultural sustainability and livelihoods.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 7•7 4 Cost: $$$

Pre-plant blended fertilizers and nitrogen topdressing for maize

Unlock Maize Potential with Balanced Fertilizer Bliss! Balanced Fertilizer Blend for Maize is a specialized mixture of nutrients crucial for optimal maize growth. Proper application of this blend ensures robust root systems, disease resistance, and improved grain production. It addresses the issue of inadequate nutrient supply which often leads to subpar yields and environmental losses. This technology provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for maize farmers, enhancing both profitability and sustainability.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 8•9 2

Cut and Bury: Motorized weeders for rice production

Effortless Weed Control for Bountiful Harvests The technology of motorized weeders for rice production (cut and bury) addresses a significant challenge faced by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Traditional manual weed clearing is labor-intensive and costly, leading to substantial yield losses and economic impacts. The introduction of small-sized motorized weeding units has revolutionized weed control in rice paddies, reducing labor demands and costs, while increasing rice production and quality. This innovation offers a practical and cost-effective solution for smallholder farmers, contributing to improved food security and economic well-being in rural communities.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 8•8 2 Cost: $$$ ROI: $$$

Specialty blended fertilizers for root and tuber crops

Special fertilizer for root and tuber crops The technology "Specialty Blended Fertilizers for Root and Tuber Crops", plays a pivotal role in enhancing the growth, productivity, and resilience of tuber and root crops like sweetpotato and cassava. These specially designed fertilizers provide a balanced mix of essential nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, addressing deficiencies commonly found in soils across Sub-Saharan Africa. By applying the right nutrient blends at the appropriate time and location, these fertilizers significantly improve tuber quality, crop yield, and the plants' ability to withstand drought, pests, and diseases.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 6•6 1

Relay intercropping of sweet potato with legumes

Harvest More, Worry Less with Sweet Potato-Legume Relay Intercropping Relay intercropping of sweet potato with legumes revolutionizes agriculture by increasing yields, optimizing land and resource use, and reducing pest damage. This method enhances soil nitrogen availability, promoting sweet potato tuber production while reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers. It not only ensures a more nutritious diet for subsistence farmers but also safeguards against food shortages during crop failures caused by drought or pests.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 8•8 4

Specialty Fertilizers and Local Blending for Banana and Plantain

Fertilize for Success: Banana & Plantain Boost The Specialty Fertilizers and Local Blending for Banana and Plantain technology addresses the widespread issue of low nutrient availability in Sub-Saharan Africa's soils. Specially designed fertilizer blends are used to provide a balanced supply of nutrients, enhancing the productivity and nutritional value of banana and plantain crops while making them more resilient to drought and pests.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 8•9 3

Processing and Application of Composted Manures

Turning Waste into Wealth for Greener Fields The processing and application of composted manures play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural practices. Goat and sheep manure, in particular, offer valuable benefits due to their nutrient-rich and naturally pelleted form. Composting this manure not only deactivates potential hazards like pathogens and weed seeds but also produces organic fertilizers, contributing to sustainable and productive farming while minimizing environmental risks.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 8•8 3 Cost: $$$

Value Addition to Poultry Manure

Transforming waste into wealth The technology, "Poultry Manure Value Addition," involves processing chicken manure to create a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. This practice addresses challenges associated with raw manure, such as pathogens, root damage, and odor. By composting and applying value addition methods, the manure becomes a valuable input for enhancing soil fertility and improving crop yields in agricultural production. This technology primarily contributes to the pre-production phase of the agricultural value chain, focusing on the processing of organic fertilizers before they are utilized in crop cultivation or livestock farming.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 7•7 2 Cost: $$$

Precision Fertilizer Micro-Dosing for Millet and Sorghum Yield Enhancement

Smarter Fertilizer, Stronger Crops: Maximize Growth with Minimal Input "Micro-dosing of Fertilizers in Precision Agriculture," holds significant importance for small-scale millet and sorghum farmers. These farmers often face challenges related to inadequate fertilizer use, leading to soil fertility decline and increased risk of crop failure. Micro-dosing offers a crucial solution by allowing precise and efficient application of small fertilizer quantities at the base of each plant. This approach minimizes risk, reduces input costs, and results in improved crop establishment, nutrient absorption, and water utilization. By utilizing this technology, farmers can enhance yields, protect the environment by reducing nutrient loss, and ultimately promote sustainable and profitable agricultural practices.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 8•7 2 Cost: $$$ ROI: $$$

NoduMax: Inoculant for Soybeans

Advanced Soybean Inoculation Solution for Sustainable Agriculture NoduMax is a cutting-edge soybean inoculation technology designed to enhance the efficiency of soybean cultivation while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This innovative solution optimizes root nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation, reducing the dependency on costly nitrogen fertilizers.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 7•7 6 Cost: $$$ ROI: $$$

Maize-legume rotation and intercropping

Maize-legume: Savings in Soil, Growth in Profit Maize-legume rotation and intercropping is an innovative agricultural practice that combines the cultivation of maize and legumes on the same plot of land. This technique has proven to be highly beneficial, enhancing soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, increasing land and resource use efficiency, reducing weed and pest infestations, and ultimately leading to higher crop yields. It not only provides subsistence farmers with a more balanced and nutritious diet but also helps mitigate the risks associated with crop failure due to factors like drought or pests. This sustainable approach has made a significant impact in Sub-Saharan Africa, improving food security and agricultural productivity.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 7•8 5 ROI: $$$

Foliar micronutrient addition for healthier rice

Targeted nutrients for stronger crops and richer grain Foliar micronutrient addition involves spraying rice crops with liquid fertilizers containing essential elements like magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc, manganese, and boron. These micronutrients are often deficient in Sub-Saharan African soils, affecting rice yields and nutritional value. Applying micronutrients directly onto rice leaves and stems is a cost-effective solution that enhances crop health, increases grain production, and boosts nutritional content. The method is easy to adopt, does not require significant infrastructure, and can be tailored to specific soil deficiencies.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 8•8 4 Cost: $$$ ROI: $$$

Urea deep placement: Nitrogen management for Efficient Rice Fertilization

Boost rice yields and save on fertilizer costs through efficient nitrogen management The technology of Deep Urea Placement offers a significant solution to the challenges of nitrogen fertilizer application in Sub-Saharan Africa's rice paddies. By drilling large urea granules or briquettes into the soil, it allows for a slow release of nitrogen into the root zone of rice crops, improving nutrient uptake, soil fertility, and crop productivity. This approach not only enhances grain yield and quality but also leads to cost savings, additional income for farmers, reduced environmental nitrogen losses, and ultimately contributes to food security and reduced dependence on food imports.


Private sector Validated (TAAT1) 8•8 3 Cost: $$$ ROI: $$$