ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

the proposition that resource constraints prevent most farmers from pursuing rates of fertilizer application
recommended by most national extension agencies. Rather than asking how can a farmer maximize her yields or
profits, micro-dosing asks how can a farmer maximize the returns to a small initial investment – that might grow
over time, turning deficits into surpluses. How, for example, might a farmer maximize her returns to investing two
chickens in a bit of fertilizer? Next year it may be four chickens and the following year a goat.
Our results have consistently shown that fertilizer micro-dosing can be successfully used in both low and high
potential areas where farmers cannot afford to purchase the current recommended rates of fertilizer. This innovative
technology involves the precision application of small quantities of fertilizer (macro-nutrients in sub-Saharan
Africa) close to the crop plant. This enhances fertilizer use efficiency and improves productivity, enabling
intensification of agriculture and productivity gains from initially low levels, closing the yield gap between what
farmers are currently achieving, and what is achieved on the research station (Figure 9B1).
2.5
grain
yield
t ha-1
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Pearl Millet Sorghum Maize
Observed on farm
On-farm plus 10 kg N/ha
Figure 9B1. Observed yield gap in southern Zimbabwe, Matobo, 2004 (moderate drought year)
In the last 12 months ICRISAT staff have undertaken a wide range of research and development initiatives on their
own, or in collaboration with a whole host of traditional and none traditional collaborators to promote the microdosing
concept throughout sub-Saharan Africa (see Box 9B1 ). Donor support from ACIAR, DFID, DGDIC, IDRC
and the African Development Bank continue to help us develop and promote this initiative with an ever increasing
range of partners and encourage fertilizer companies to experiment with more imaginative marketing strategies (see
Box 9B2 and Centre Project 1 for more detail[REF11]s), while encouraging farmers to experiment with application
strategies suited to their investment priorities, and risk preferences.
Box 9B1 Microdosing, Africa Wide
Niger. Hill-placed application of fertilizer: DAP, urea and various manure combinations. 3-year on-farm trial in a
drought-prone area with poor sandy soils, 2003 onwards, to validate previous on-station results. Micro-dose of DAP
at planting increased millet grain yield by a factor of two to six, depending on variety and initial soil nutrient status.
Burkina, Faso, Niger, Mali. Hill-placed application of fertilizer, 2-year on-farm trial in 3 countries. Sorghum and
millet grain yields increased by 44 to 120%, farmers’ incomes increased by 52 to 134%. Technology currently used
by nearly 13,000 farmers through a wide range of strategic partnerships with NGOs and the FAO “Warrantage
Program’ which improves household access to fertilizer inputs.
Based on the encouraging results from the 2-year USAID TARGET project on fertilizer micro-dosing and the
warrantage system, CORAF/AfDB has funded a 3-year project entitled “ Fertilizer micro-dosing and drought
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