'Best bet' technologies for increasing nutrient supply for maize on smallholder farms
1998
Waddington, S.R. | Gilbert, R. | Giller, K.E.
The Soil Fertility Network (Soil Fert Net) has now been coordinating soil fertility research in southern Africa for four years and it is timely to review which of the approaches studied are the most promising for improving soil productivity and maize yields in smallholder agriculture. This paper highlights the technologies which are emerging as those most likely to have an impact. Two main criteria are suggested for selection of technologies for further investment of research effort and farmer evaluation: the intervention should make a significant impact on soil fertility and maize yield (with some beneficial effect in the short-term) and the technology should be applicable for a reasonably large number of farmers. As well as these, there are other promising technologies that Soil Fert Net members are working on to establish their benefits on farm, their profitability and farmer acceptance. Most of the technologies are the subject of research projects by individual members in direct receipt of grants from the Rockefeller Foundation. Some are being looked at collectively by groups of Soil Fert Net members in 'Network Trials' and are reported in these proceedings.
Показать больше [+] Меньше [-]