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

Fertilizer Response - On-farm trials
Value Cost Ratio of Fertilizer Investments
Maize Grain Yield (kg ha-1)
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
Control
Low Fert
Recom. Fert
Rand Return/Rand invested
6.00
5.00
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
3.76
0.89
1.74
5.51
3.90
Low Fert
Recom. Fert
0
2004 2005 2006
0.00
2004 2005 2006
Figure 9B2. Grain yield response and value cost ratio of fertilizer investments for on-farm maize
trials conducted across 3 growing seasons in Limpopo Province, RSA.
In 2005/06, Sasol Nitro, Progress Milling and ICRISAT embarked on a pilot study to test the sale of small packs of
fertilizer to smallholder farmers. This involved investment by Sasol Nitro in registering and packaging starter and
top-dress fertilizer in 10 and 20 kg packs, and Progress Milling investing in the distribution of fertilizer to about 20
of their depots operating in rural villages throughout Limpopo Province. Results show that about 1500 small packs
of fertilizer were sold to households. In villages where fertilizer was commonly used (Figure 9B3, Perskebult), daily
records of sales show that purchase of 50kg bags were preferred, although about 20% of sales were nevertheless in
small packs. In 2 villages (Motupa and Lenyene) where fertilizer was not commonly used (Figure 9B3), almost
100% of sales were as small packs. These results are supportive of the hypothesis that small packs encourage farmer
experimentation in fertilizer use. At the same time, a collaborating seed company, Pannar, reported that distribution
of small seed packs in the community based outlets increased sales of improved seed by about 25 tonnes in 2005-06.
ii. Dissemination
N o. of sales ( bag s )
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
30/11/05
01/12/05
03/12/05
Cumulative sales Perskebult
05/12/05
06/12/05
07/12/05
08/12/05
19/12/05
20/12/05
30/12/05
03/01/06
10 kg bags
20 kg bags
50 kg bags
• Participation in the Africa Fertilizer Summit, and a plenary presentation Dr William Dar ‘Developing
Fertilizer Interventions for Semi-Arid Areas’ – Abuja, Nigeria, June 2006
• Flyer ‘A Pathway to Africa’s Green Revolution: ICRISAT’s perspective on fertilizer interventions for semiarid
areas’ distributed at the Africa Fertilizer Summit and the ‘NEPAD Food Security Summit’, Abuja,
Nigeria, December, 2006.
No. of sales
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
13/12/05
22/12/05
03/01/06
10 kg bags
20 kg bags
50 kg bags
Cumulative sales
07/01/06
11/01/06
14/01/06
18/01/06
21/01/06
25/01/06
01/02/06
09/02/06
15/02/06
Figure 9B3. Daily sale of fertilizer pack sizes at Progress Milling depots at Perskebult, and
Motupa+Lenyene during a dry season in Limpopo Province.
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