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

tolerant varieties technology transfer for small farmer properity in the Sahel”. This project which started in 2005 is
being implemented in Burkina Faso, Niger and Senegal. Farmers Field Schools are being used to demonstrate the
potential of the technology and to enhance it dissemination amongs end users. Results in 2005 and 2006 showed that
grain yields of sorghum and millet have doubled under the fertilizer micro-dosing technology as compared to the
farmer’s practice.
Ghana. Multilocation on-farm trials on maize, sorghum and millet. Microdosing increased grain yield by 40 to
300% on different crops, compared to farmer practice. Microdosing also increased nitrogen-use efficiency by 50 to
90% compared to recommended fertilizer rates.
Zimbabwe. 3 seasons of on-farm validation trials to support more than 3,000 multi-location farmer managed trials
on maize, sorghum and millet. 25 to 50 kg per ha of ammonium nitrate as a top dressing increased cereal grain
yields by 25 to 40% across all households irrespective of season. Micro-dosing is an initial step towards household
food security. Further yield improvements achieved when microdosing is combined with manure and conservation
agriculture. Technologies currently being promoted to more than 150,000 households through strategic partnerships
with NGOs and NARS. Pilot testing of small packs of fertilizer with private sector to improve access is underway.
Republic of South Africa 3 seasons of on-farm validation trials supported by an input supply scheme by the private
sector to increase access to fertilizer. Grain yield increases of more than 50% have been observed, with more than
1000 households purchasing fertilizer in 2005-2006.
Kenya Dissemination materials developed in Zimbabwe adapted by the Catholic Relief Service for their relief and
development programs.
Milestones contributing to Output 9B in 2006
I. Improved fertilizer recommendations and policy for dry reasons of southern Africa. John Dimes
The objective of this ACIAR funded project, “Improved fertilizer recommendations and policy for dry regions of
southern Africa”, is to increase use of inorganic fertiliser by smallholder farmers through (i) improved fertiliser
recommendations more suited to their resource base and climatic risk and (ii) improved access to fertiliser through
public-private partnership. The project has been conducted in Limpopo Province of South Africa with a wide range
of partners, including Progress Milling, a large private-sector grain milling and trading firm; Sasol Nitro, a fertilizer
manufacturer; the Limpopo Province Department of Agriculture, and LIMPAST, a farmer development organization
which has support from ARC, the national agricultural research organization. The project was initiated in July 2003
and an Extension phase is due for completion in September 2007.
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