Fertilizer Microdosing Technology in Sorghum, Millet and Maize Production at Small-Scale Level in Africa: A Review
Journal: International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research & Development (IJASRD) (Vol.05, No. 04)Publication Date: 2018-05-10
Authors : Walelign Demisie;
Page : 39-49
Keywords : Microdosing; Mineral Fertilizer; Warrantage; Policy Makers.;
Abstract
World population is alarmingly increasing, to feed the growing population, farmers must increase food production. Mineral fertilizer application takes the lion-share on crop productivity. However, due to the high cost of fertilizer, majority of African farmers add smaller than the recommended rate. Therefore, the farmers must adopt a technology that is environmentally friendly and minimizes dose of fertilizer keeping productivity higher than conventional fertilization. Microdosing (small and affordable quantities) fertilizer application produces higher grain yield as compared to control and banding application. Application of 0.3g NPK to 6g of NPK per pocket could increase yield of millet in range of 31.3% to 90.3 %. Similarly, application of 0.3 g NPK to 4 g NPK per pocket could increase yield of sorghum 40.9 % to 83 %. Microdosing fertilizer application is feasible and profitable than conventional fertilizer application. However, fertilizers in Africa are found in 50 kg package, which are not affordable by the poor resource farmers. The availability of fertilizer in affordable package is very crucial in expanding the technology. Moreover, the farmers must have the opportunity to inventory credit like warrantage system so that they borrow money to use it for input cost and store the crops after harvest when the price of the crops are low and resell them when the prices are higher. The use of the microdosing method brings entire changes to the existing fertilizer application methods; hence, there is a need for a strong linkage among researchers, farmers, and policy makers.
Other Latest Articles
- Analysis of Effect of the Presence of Soekarno-Hatta Airport Province of Environmental and Economic Banten
- Empirical Study: Path Analysis of Tobin’s Q Firm Value on Indonesian’s State Owned Banks
- Adaptability and Performance Aspects of Learning Management System (LMS) for Academe in India
- The Result of Best Trading Option by Core Indicators of Intra-Day Trading Decision – A Correspondence Analysis
- Investor’s Contemplation of Firms Position and Stock Returns in the Open-ended Mutual Fund Scheme
Last modified: 2019-02-11 10:29:52