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nitrogen response prediction in wheat for both irrigated and (especially when linked to weather data)
rainfed systems (Raun et al. 2002). Studies are underway to adapt the approaches for maize. Other
nutrient deficiencies and responses may be identified by leaf reflectance, using different wavelengths.
Researchable issues
The prevalence and distribution of farm‐level maize yield constraints and the relative importance
of management (knowledge and precision) and inputs.
Socioeconomic factors that prevent smallholder farmers from adopting precision management of
maize in different farming systems and countries.
Enhancing the maize crop’s efficiency in using applied nitrogen and phosphorus while reducing the
risk of economic losses under different scenarios for the most important smallholder maize
production systems of the developing world.
Opportunities for adapting precision agriculture approaches used in the developed world, including
low‐cost diagnostic equipment, to improve targeting of recommendations at the landscape or
district levels in the developing world.
The feasibility of decision guides linked to current and new GIS databases for disseminating
information efficiently to farmers, and of linking the guides to media such as SMS messaging
protocols.
Enhancing the definition of maize productivity constraints by linking spatial data with satellite
imagery.
Outputs
1. Information on farmers’ maize yield constraints in different environments, readily available to
partners in a geo‐referenced database to help target improved technology (links to SI 1).
2. Decision guides for maize crop management, developed locally with support from international
partners and disseminated through various communication strategies, ranging from facilitated
farmer‐to‐farmer exchange to web‐ and SMS‐based tools.
3. An international network of researchers and development agents, focused on sharing information
about maize crop management.
4. Web platform for receiving feedback from development partners, managing trial information and
shipments, and sharing best practices.
5. Methodologies and decision guides for more accurate targeting and application of nitrogen and
phosphorus fertilizers, taking into account spatial variability and weather forecasts.
6. Documented results on the use of web‐ and SMS‐based crop management decision guides in areas
where poverty is prevalent but cell phone service is available.
Research and development partners
This initiative will involve research collaboration between at least five international centers (CIMMYT,
CIAT‐TSBF, ICRISAT, IITA and IRRI) and various advanced research institutes, including Cornell University,
USA; Stanford University, USA; Oklahoma State University, USA; the University of North Carolina, USA;
the University of Adelaide, Australia; the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI); Hohenheim
University, Germany; ICAR, India; CAAS, China; and EMBRAPA, Brazil. The Alliance for a Green Revolution
in Africa (AGRA) will also participate through many of its current projects. The involvement of the
private sector, especially companies dealing with new information and communication technologies, will
also be crucial to the success of the initiative.
National research and extension systems of the countries where the target farming systems are
important will play a critical role in the international exploratory diagnostic trials. These systems include
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