INTRODUCING OUR NEW DIGITAL MAGAZINE! Our new semi-annual, digital publication provides a forum for stakeholders interested in Africa-centric plant nutrition science and its impacts. KEY MOMENTS Growing AFRICA • Actionable scientific information on plant nutrition to enable research for development • Volume One • Number One • April <strong>2022</strong> Our First Issue! PROTECTING AFRICA’S FOOD SECURITY AND BIODIVERSITY DOES REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE FIT AFRICA? SHIFTING TOWARDS FARMER- CENTRIC RESEARCH MORE INSIDE! Vo l u m e O n e • N u m b e r O n e • A p r i l 2 0 2 2 Actionable scientific information on plant nutrition to enable research for development May - Inaugural issue released Volume One • Number Two • December <strong>2022</strong> ACTIONABLE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON PLANT NUTRITION Issue 2, <strong>2022</strong> | Growing Africa 1 December - issue 2 released PROTECTING AFRICA’S FOOD SECURITY AND BIODIVERSITY DOES REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE FIT AFRICA? SHIFTING TOWARDS FARMER-CENTRIC RESEARCH MORE INSIDE! www.growingafrica.pub Volume Two • Number One • June 2023 ACTIONABLE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON PLANT NUTRITION FERTILIZER AND SOIL HEALTH IN AFRICA MORE INSIDE! WHAT’S NEXT First Issue of 2023 focused on Fertilizer and Soil Health in connection with the the upcoming African Union Commission-led African Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit. <strong>2022</strong> 52
45 drought tolerant crop. There 40 PRECISION NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT is a need to increase awareness FORUM 2017 2018 2019 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 35 among farmers that like any other crop, sorghum requires 30 where rapid transformation is seen <strong>Towards</strong> a Farmer-Centric Share your more Snapshots attention to soil fertility to arise 25 from multiple coinciding UP SCALING influences, events, trends or even management. Framework for Scaling major cereal crops (Fig. 2). shocks 20 (Schut el al. 2020). In Share your photos A from decline the in field the on Instagram using the hashtag Policy These processes are farmerdriven and provide a platform complex adaptive research and makers #ShareGrowingAfrica predictability of rainfall 15 Productive and Sustainable development systems, continuous for international Not Instagram research results yet? You in inability can submit to your plan monitoring photos to communications@apni.net 10 and learning through organizations for a chance and national Cereal Cropping Systems to be featured in our next issue. feedback loops, system/sub-system RAPID & CONTINUOUS for specific farm operations FEEDBACK research and extension 5 By Ivan S. Adolwa, Thomas Oberthür and Simon Cook interrelationships NARES/ and context, Farmer systems (NARES) due to to work uncertainty. Future OUT SCALING Academia organizations reflexive thinking, trade-offs OUT SCALING 0 On-farm effectively with consideration farmers. is needed to and uncertainty, Maize and Sorghum adaptive experimentation Groundnut Cotton CO-LEARNING Pigeon pea Bean Millet Others A case is made for an innovation system framework that A tripartite of develop the capacity among management are MONITORING key (Cook et & al. Knowledge integrates farmer-centric and systemic approaches to scaling Figure 3. Proportion & of crops exchange grown within the study area during the 2017-2019 farmer organizations, 2018; Klerkx et professionals to predict future EVALUATION al. 2012). plant nutrition innovations for positive transformation of cereal farming seasons. international research Industry/ Therefore, the target of International rainfall patterns through cropping systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. A case study from Private MULTI-STAKEHOLDER research organizations, and NARES/ sector increased cereal crop productivity ARRANGEMENTS Ethiopia helps to build the case. Academia constitute a sub-system modeling approaches. Modeled of the inclusion of grain legume This requires promotion and calls for an innovative framework of support within the larger scenarios could eventually that crops translates on the scientific P balance of this novel intensification of the AKIS. production For scaling processes to be used to develop extension knowledge cropping on system. PNM into of drought tolerant be crops successful, like it is crucial that ereal-based cropping right rate, time, and place) and messages for farmers that sorghum in order to enhance C Development innovations that can be adopted agencies systems are vital food best crop management practices by famers Summary at scale. African present most likely predictions production systems provides a plausible pathway Additional issues and regional food security. Farmers, farmers will obtain higher ROI by DOWN SCALING across Africa. In these systems, for sustainably increasing the Under a changing climate, considerations for plant and how they can prepare and adopting market-oriented models however, do not prioritize livelihoods are mainly derived productivity of African cereal crop nutrition innovation drought is becoming common plan their farm operations. are anchored on structured from cereals such as maize, yields from the current 2.5 t ha fertilizer use in sorghum. Where -1 include: markets in Malawi, and credit as access. is food shortages In general, planting new millet, sorghum, and wheat; and to attainable yields of 5-7 t ha -1 they have access to fertilizer, Knowledge for Malawian transfer households. and agribusiness could SMART potentially PLANT propel NUTRITION 1 A socioeconomic crops and adopting droughtalso legumes, pulses, roots and (Phillips, 2014; van Ittersum et Figure 2. Scaling Framework for Cereal Cropping Systems. the priority crop is maize, characterization a less of the CLIMATE & WEATHER tubers. In East and Southern al., 2016). Continued stagnation farming systems to clarify MALAWI Africa, maize-mixed farming in productivity results from a sowing the move in rows) towards were cropping aimed at underlie such decision-making, factors that underpin systems are the most important being an inspiration for farmer many more studies across several farmer decision-making. food production systems groups to offer them alternatives agro-ecological sites and regions zones in Chikwawa, Salima, and 2 A review of innovations with high scaling potential Exploring Climate Smart for crop production. It was need to be conducted to get a representing 32 million ha (19%) Blantyre districts over the last for different locations. Agricultural systems observed are increasingly that farmers matched being clearer picture. of the cultivated area (Dixon 20-25 years. The majority of et Cropping al. 2001). These systems System are Solutions viewed in terms of their complex experimental opinions systems design tended to thinking, A framework for scaling 3 Mapping stakeholder express either Dr. Samuel networks Njoroge using tools such with the requirements of their processes underpinned by encumbered by food insecurity, as Social Network Analysis a substantial increase or decline Researchers on-site to inspect a set of nutrient omission plots (NOTs) for wheat growing in Minjar Shenkora District, for Smallholder “ Farmers where rapid transformation or scaling is seen (a) (b) (c) livelihood system. In this case, the agricultural knowledge to identify those partners hunger and poverty, but these in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The plots evaluated the effect of omitting nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and to arise from multiple farmers for coinciding each focused indicator. on enhancing influences, In general, innovation systems (AKIS) best placed to fulfill scaling micronutrients on wheat growth and yield, against a plot receiving a balanced application of all nutrients. problems can be alleviated by By Austin T. Phiri, Sarah E. Edewor, Judith S. Kahamba, Ijeoma Nwoko, there is overwhelming evidence of functions. straw productivity (for fodder) approach, centered on OFE, is Greater shift successful and Ulemu yield Chimimba intensification and events, trends or even climate shocks. at the expense variance. of wheat Very grain few of the proposed for cereal cropping 4 Identifying key bottlenecks between seasons crop diversification (Garrity et al. to scaling and developing indicates higher respondents answered “remained temporal yields. A key outcome with systems. A key question hinges 2012). scaling strategies and variability The effects of climate change are threatening the stability important the same” implications to the ten on components the on of whether and how OFE can approaches (e.g., Scaling Ultimately, a vision of success major failure current research of smallholder farmers in Malawi. As such, most farmers are trade-off system climate commercialization between variation fertilizer measured. cost and When contribute to scaling processes in Scan; Jacobs et al. 2018, for cereal cropping systems in and scaling processes, which Scaling Readiness; Sartas receptive to adaptive strategies such as increased adoption of and cereal yield asked yield increase, whether gap closure was climate that (Green change African farming systems. RYPK RYNK RYNP Africa includes the improvement embark on agricultural technology et al. 2020) to overcome drought-tolerant crops like sorghum. Here smallholders provide farmer-led et al., has 2016; had processes a Sanchez, direct did effect 2015). not of their of smallholder farmer livelihoods transfer with little regard for such bottlenecks. lead insight into the long-term impacts of climate change, and related household, to Precision significantly nutrient the majority different (91%) of An innovation system through better value creation the unique socio-organizational 5 Monitoring Find us @africanplantinst and learning and share your best photos with us average respondents indicated “yes”. using the hashtag #ShareGrowingAfrica field research examines nutrient management within a new grain management wheat is grain critical yields (2,020 and return on investment (ROI) conditions of target areas framework for cereal to track impact of scaling kg tackling ha legume-sorghum cropping system offering food security and -1 ) from A the the majority spatial scientific-led (69%) and approaches (e.g., impact Greater (Fig. 1). Precision nutrient (Adolwa et al. 2017; Schut et al. of cropping systems process temporal (2,200 climate resilience. respondents variability kg ha across -1 ). in Although evaluation studies), African within spread indicates a season higher management (PNM) combined 2020). Agricultural systems are the three This model is centered and documentation Issue 2, <strong>2022</strong> | Growing Africa 37 spatial variability this smallholder work contributes districts believe farming to average systems our with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship increasingly being viewed in terms daily around farmer-centric processes frameworks for measuring LR 2013 understanding given its incorporation of the choices of and reporting of successes, (i.e., right nutrient source at the of complex systems thinking, temperatures have increased for experimentation (or OFE) SR2013 farmers make in technology failures, or processes. LR2014 substantially. Similarly, 58% and knowledge exchange on limate change awareness where its productivity is very low. adoption and of the processes that SR2014 experienced Issue 1, <strong>2022</strong> a | Growing substantial Africa 23 plant nutrition innovation in is steadily increasing The average yield in Malawi is LR2015 increase in the duration of dry C(Venghaus et al., <strong>2022</strong>) about 600 kg ha -1 SR2015 against a yield Issue 1, <strong>2022</strong> | Growing Africa 25 seasons or prevalence of drought. and has become a major concern potential of up to 3.5-6 t ha -1 for 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 About 49% of respondents among most stakeholders. In improved varieties available in the Relative yield perceived a substantial decline Malawi, the effects of increased country (GAP, 2012). Improved Sorghum productivity improvement trial in the 2020/2021 farming season at Chitala agricultural Research Station, Salima in average rainfall. Furthermore, Figure 2. Cumulative frequency (%) of maize grain yield (t ha average global temperature varieties yield higher than local district, central Malawi. -1 ): (a) Relative yield response to N (RYPK); (b) Relative yield response FORUM 75% of the respondents reported to P (RYNK); and (c) Relative yield response to K (RYNP), across different on-farm nutrient omission trials locations (n=24), over six that induce weather variability varieties like Thengalamanga, consecutive cropping seasons. LR and SR refer to short and long rainy seasons respectively. a reduction in the length of the over years manifest as frequent with documented grain SOIL yields HEALTH of 24 FOR Growing IMPROVED Africa LIVELIHOODS | Issue 2, <strong>2022</strong> rainy season. A majority also droughts, floods, heat, cyclones up to 2 t ha -1 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (ICRISAT, 1995). seasons (Janssen et al., 1987; fields showed very strong response fertilizer applications required perceived an increase in soil and cold waves. Malawi’s Studies indicate that improved Ask An <strong>APNI</strong> Expert dryness during the dry season. Kifuko et al., 2007). However, to K, while a decline in mean to attain and sustain high yields, National Adaptations varieties like Pilira 1 are preferred a key role in fixing it. Although the Why Given the prevalence of rain-fed the large variability in RY Programmes the of Action Buzz (NAPA) on NK RYNP was observed over time. findings from this study indicate by farmers for their early maturity, idea of ‘broken’ food systems is often agriculture in Malawi, decreases Question: How can I observed develop between a farms in the The strong K deficiencies in a that farmers in such smallholder report on Disaster Management drought tolerance, white grain, repeated, what this means is unclear. Regenerative in rainfall and rainy season model for precision agriculture? for Malawi identifies Chikwawa, Agriculture? first season, with about half of limited number of sites could be settings will face yield losses of up and high grain yield (Nkolongo Many commentaries point to an duration significantly reduces fields showing no response to P, due to the presence of localized to 50% if they drastically reduce Submitted by Tolera Goshu, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Nsanje, Balaka, Salima and et al., 2008). Given sustainable agricultural crisis: a collapse in soil By Ken E. Giller farm productivity and increases indicates strong spatial variation. K deficiency hotspots (Kihara fertilizer applications. Such yield Karonga districts as the most agronomic practices, sorghum health, the sixth mass extinction household food shortages. o answer this question, Differences in yield response to et al., 2016), and continuous reductions would substantially vulnerable districts to climate appears poised enhance of biodiversity, and the plateauing Regenerative Agriculture is taking the world by storm! Civil change effects (GoM, 2006). household food security among of crop yields. Across This all regions, begged the we need to first define P can be linked to differences in removal of harvest products impact crop productivity, food society, agribusiness, farmers, NGOs, multinationals—and In Malawi, sorghum is one of smallholder farmers and build question largest as group to why of Regenerative respondents T“precision agriculture”. the P fertility status of the soil, without application of K fertilizer security and farmer incomes. increasingly researchers—are aligning around this new paradigm. the major food crops for people resilience to climatic shocks and Agriculture (41%) indicated was gaining that so incidences much Precision agriculture (PA) reflecting differences in historical (Chianu and Mairura, 2012; But what is Regenerative Agriculture? What does it mean for the Findings from this study attention living in the semi-arid regions food shortages. of unusually and demanded high rainfall a deeper and according to the International field management (Vanlauwe Zörb et al., 2014). Further, K way we produce our food and for agricultural research in Africa? however provide potential analysis. of shire valley and lakeshore thunderstorms Here I provide has increased a synopsis Society of Precision Agriculture et al., 2006). Omitting P for deficiencies are expected to short-term nutrient management of the areas. Since the crop tolerates substantially. paper we wrote Frequency/intensity to try is “A management strategy that Climate change more than one season resulted become more pronounced at options that farmers can apply high first temperatures heard the term and and drought, awareness Twitter, and a large body of and of understand storms and the other buzz wind-related around takes account of temporal and in significant reductions in yield higher N and P application rates. Regenerative Agriculture in farmers were communicating on Regenerative sorghum can be a key adaptation hazards were Agriculture perceived (Giller to have spatial variability to improve to mitigate severe yield losses. Table 1 presents the extent of as indicated by the significantly Fertilizer recommendations I2019 at an advisory meeting this topic. Over the course of 2020 et al., strategy for the country. The increased 2021), and substantially I specifically by ask 46% of sustainability of agricultural In low fertility soils, yield losses climate variation experienced by smaller mean RYNK values, and should therefore account for the of a major food company. As a large number of companies started the bulk of sorghum production is the question respondents. regarding Strong what this destructive production.” Notice that the can be reduced by applying 67 randomly selected farmers from an increasing proportion of fields need to supply K in combination an agricultural researcher I was to make commitments to move means done under rain-fed production winds for (known Africa. In as doing Mphepoyankuntho) so I word “technology” does not reduced quantities of balanced the three targeted agro-ecological responsive to P. This indicates with N and P, particularly in K embarrassed that I was not better towards Regenerative Agriculture draw on papers from a special issue appear in the definition. Many NPK applications as such soils informed, so together with an in their supply chains, and many on ‘Biomimicry and Nature-based people assume that PA is going the need for regular application deficiency hotspots (Kihara et al., are expected to be deficient 20 Growing Africa | Issue 2, <strong>2022</strong> Crop performance can vary greatly across a landscape due to natural changes in assistant we ran a quick scan of international environmental NGOs Solutions’, which I edited together to involve technology – sensors, of P to sustain productivity. 2016). soil properties plus the influence of field management history. in N, P and K. In moderate to the topic. We found surprisingly such as Greenpeace and The Nature with Jim Sumberg (see Sumberg, satellites, computers, etc., but Strong spatial-temporal Given the prevailing fertilizer high fertility soils that have little information in the scientific Conservancy aligned with the <strong>2022</strong>). according to the definition, PA such as lack of uniformity in input and water patterns availability? in response Are to K were crisis that is limiting the ability had previous large applications As we dug into both the Percent Cumulative frequency (%) 20 40 60 80 100 Growing Africa seeks out actionable scientific information to help enable Agricultural Research for Development. This open access publication is aimed at strengthening the connections within the research community in Africa, and shining a light on its impactful solutions, programs, concepts, and activities. As a provider of practical information, Growing Africa serves a broad target audience of agricultural practitioners including agronomists, researchers, and extension workers as well as university students, supply and value chain stakeholders, and policy makers. 53
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