AAPI Bulletin Vol 3 May2011 (Eng)

This is the third issue of the AAPI News Bulletin. It has been a busy month for AAPI. It is perhaps the only month in the year when all our activities are concentrated, as one (rice) season finishes and another starts. The Boro season harvest is intensive this month. As this edition goes to print almost 90% of the crop has been harvested. The block survey for Boro is complete and the data analysis should be ready for publication in our next issue.

The Boro is arguably the biggest rice crop of the year and this year the weather has been favorable, pests and diseases have been containable and

we are looking at a bumper harvest. This is good for the farmers and the country and it means a lot of work for us. We have to get the demonstrations and trials harvested to compute the results and we have to use the opportunity to run field days, where farmers can see the results of crop cuts for themselves. These are happy times and although the farmers are very busy, we see them at the field days full of happiness and enthusiastic about the results they are getting from urea deep placement (UDP) technology. We are seeing yield increases of 800 to 1,200 kg per hectare from UDP technology, but it is early days and we will report the data in later issues.

Notes from Chief of Party, AAPI Inside this issue:

FDP: Better Fertilizer Use Efficiency and More Yield

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A Happy Time (Successful Demo Farmer)

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AAPI Events in June 4

Tips on Good Business Management Practices

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Volume 3

Accelerating Agriculture Productivity Improvement (AAPI)

AAPI NEWS BULLETIN May 31, 2011 A project supported by USAID in collaboration with DAE

AAPI News Bulletin is a monthly publication of the AAPI project. Subscriptions are free. IFDC is a public international organization based in Alabama, USA. IFDC focuses o n i n c r e a s i n g a n d sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in developing countries. Managing Editor: Ishrat Jahan Resident Representative IFDC Bangladesh Eurasia Division and Project Coordinator, AAPI Design and Layout: Syed Afzal Hossain Data Management Unit, AAPI

The views expressed in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government

The Signing of a Small Grant Agreement for Fertilizer Briquette Applicator Development On the May 25, 2011 the Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Professor Dr Abul Khair, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh and t h e I F D C R e s i d e n t Representative and AAPI Project Coordinator, Ishrat Jahan, signed an agreement to award the Faculty with a small grant to develop a new, improved fertilizer briquette applicator. The grant has been provided under the AAPI project.

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This month is also the start of the Aus season and while it is a smaller crop overall, in some of our southern districts its big. And so we must motivate our farmers to adopt UDP technology in these Upazilas. The rains are upon us. Aus (and Aman) are largely dictated by weather. We must select our sites for Aus demos and trials, get them planted and run the farmer training and motivational meetings to bring in the Aus farmers. In this issue, we have a story of one of our women farmers. There are many like her that are benefiting from the adoption of UDP technology. You will also find an article prepared by Mr Mainul Ahsan, AAPI Soil Scientist, that describes some of the benefits from using urea deep placement technology. Tips for the fertilizer briquette producers on good business management practices are continuing.

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AAPI NEWS BULLETIN Volume 3

Fertilizer Deep Placement (FDP): Better Fertilizer Use Efficiency and More Yield Balanced fertilization is the key to improve fertilizer use efficiency. Excessive fertilization is one of the causes for low fertilizer use efficiency. Balanced fertilization using FDP technology helps to improve fertilizer use efficiency.

The common practice to apply fertilizers to rice crops in Bangladesh is broadcast. Research findings indicated that use of fertilizer through broadcast reduce their efficiency considerably. Application of traditional prilled urea can result in 60%-70% nitrogen (N) losses due to volatilization, denitrification, leaching, runoff etc. FDP is an innovative yet simple and low costing technology that increases N use efficiency. This is being widely disseminated for managing urea in flooded rice cultivation in Bangladesh. Deep placement of urea

AAPI News Bulletin

Contact Persons: Ishrat Jahan Grahame D. Hunter Address: Dhaka Office: Road No. 62, House No. 4B, Apt-B2 Gulshan - 2, Dhaka -1212 Bangladesh Tel: 880-2-9894288 880-2-8817391 Fax: 880-2-8826109 Website: www.ifdc.org Barisal Office: Zohora 834 (New) Police Line Road Barisal Tel: 0431-2176566

AAPI Management:

Ishrat Jahan, Project Coordinator; Grahame D. Hunter, Chief of Party; Md. Mofizul Islam, Sr. Agriculture Specialist; Dr. Shaharuk Ahmed Agriculture Specialist; Md. Mozammel Haque, Training Specialist; Mahmood Hussain, Training Specialist; Abul Hossain Mollah, Training Specialist, Dr. Md. Abdul Mazid Mia, Soil Scientist; Mainul Ahsan, Soil Scientist; Md. Nurul Islam, Market/Business Dev. Specialist; Ram Proshad Ghosh, Mechanical Engineer; Rubina Islam, Gender Specialist; Syed Afzal Mahmood Hossain, Senior Data Management Specialist; AFM Saleh Chowdhury, Chief Accountant; Bishnu Rup Chowdhury, Administrative and Procurement Officer

Farmers harvesting their Boro paddy from UDP plots

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40% less than the soil fertility based recommended doses of prilled urea. Other fertilizers were also used on the basis of soil fertility status. Yield contributing factors are found much better in Guti plots than prilled urea. The initial findings from Boro crop cuts across a considerable number of demonstration plots show that the crop yield has increased from 300 to 2,400 kg per hectare in Guti urea application in comparison to broadcast prilled urea application in Mymensingh region (See table below). Each of the demo plots was established in 10 decimal of land. In addition, IFDC also established demonstration plots for vegetables with UDP technology following BARI research findings.

Yield Difference between UDP Plot and Broadcasted (Bcd) Urea Plot

The block surveys are still to be analyzed but indications are about 171,400 hectares of land was covered by FDP technology in Boro 2011 season in the AAPI Upazilas, with the assistance of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). On average in Bangladesh 250-260 kg/ha of prilled urea is used in the Boro crop. This would lead to a saving of 13,700 metric tons of urea as a result of adopting UDP technology under this project in Boro 2011 season.

briquettes, known as Guti urea, can reduce the recommended doses of prilled urea by 30%-40%. And yield can be increased from 25%-30% due to efficient uptake of nitrogen by the crop. Guti urea is not a slow release nitrogen fertilizer. It can be considered as a slowly available nitrogen fertilizer. The briquettes or Guti are made by compressing prilled or granular urea in small briquette machines at Upazila or village level. The individual briquettes or Guti come in two weights: 1.8 gram and 2.7 gram. Numerous studies have shown that placement of Guti urea at a depth of 7-10 cm at the centre of each of four hills with 20 cm 20 cm spacing after 5-7 days of transplantation increased yield, reduced N losses and increased N fertilizer efficiency. Benefit of UDP Deep placement of urea in flooded rice field has been widely recognized as an effective management practice for transplanted rice. Some of the benefits are: Supply of optimum N during early growth

phase reduces the number of ineffective tillers and results in bigger panicles in rice plants;

N availability throughout the growing period;

Reduction in N losses from surface runoff, percolation, leaching and ammonia volatilization;

Better fertilizer-root contact and reducing weed competition;

Reduces fertilizer cost and increase yield. Achievement under AAPI Project Most recently, IFDC, with funding from the people of America through USAID, has strengthened the effort to facilitate the diffusion of FDP technology in Bangladesh through the AAPI project. The 68 Upazilas of AAPI embrace seven different agro-ecological zones (AEZ code no 9, 12, 13, 14, 19, 22 and 28). In these areas, 400 demonstrations plots on UDP technology were established during Boro 2011. In all the demonstration plots, Guti urea was used at the rate of 170 kg per hectare, which is about 30%-

Location Date of Harvest

Variety Yield (t/ha) Yield differ-ence

(Kg/ha)

UDP Plot

Bcd Urea Plot

Bhandabo, Bhaluka,

27-4-11 Brridhan-28

6.25 5.50 750

Kachina, Bhaluka,

28-4-11 Brridhan-28

5.37 4.51 860

Amirabari, Trishal

28-4-11 Brridhan-28

6.10 5.10 1,000

Kachina, Bhaluka,

4-5-11 Brridhan-28

6.75 5.25 1,500

Mendalia, Dhobaura

5-5-11 Brridhan-28

7.80 7.50 300

Boyra Puranpur, Sherpur

5-5-11 Brridhan-28

5.80

5.00 800

Panchbag, Gafargaon

8-5-11 Brridhan-28

6.90 6.30 300

Dhamsur, Bhaluka

9-5-11 Brridhan-28

7.20 5.70 1,500

Samukh Bailor, Trishal

10-5-11 Brridhan-29

7.70 6.90 800

Mokamia, Fulpur

11-5-11 Hybrid (Rupali)

9.00 6.60 2,400

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To broaden the range of elements for the FDP technology, IFDC has also introduced Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash (NPK) briquettes in rice cultivation. In Boro 2011, 25 field trials on NPK deep placement technology were completed in different AEZs.

* * * A Happy Time (Successful Demo Farmer) Farida Begum, is a poor woman of Paprail village, Bhedarganj Upazila, Shariatpur district. She is the mother of two sons and one daughter. Her husband is a day laborer and the sole bread earner of the family. They own 36 decimals of land and lease another 56 decimals. Her life has been a continual fight to provide food for her family. In 2010, she became aware of UDP technology and attended training provided by the USAID funded ILSAFARM Project. This year, as part of the AAPI Project, she established one demonstration plot with the assistance of IFDC and also cultivated Boro rice with Guti urea in her 56 decimals of land using BRRI 29 seed. Her demonstration was an example for all to see and AAPI senior staff selected the site for a field day. This was held on the May 11, 2011. The field day was attended by 250 farmers of whom 80 were women. The DAE Deputy Director, Upazila Agriculture Officer, AAPI Chief of Party and other senior staff attended the program.

The crop cut gave yields of 9.10 ton per hectare from Guti urea and 8.40 ton per hectare from prilled urea. Farida was able to inform the field day that as a result of using Guti urea she got 6 maunds of additional paddy from her 56 decimals. This was a yield increase of 988 kg per hectare. She informed that this gave her an additional net income of Tk. 4,500. Farida explained that although this is only a small change in the harsh reality of their lives, she has learned that the application of Guti urea will surely help her to fight for a happier and prosperous day. The voice of Farida has inspired others in her village to follow the same.

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Tips for the Fertilizer Briquette Producers Good Business Management is Important to Success in Guti Urea Supply Many factors will determine the success of your Guti urea business. In our previous issues of AAPI News Bulletin, we discussed about product quality, production efficiency, good care and maintenance of the Guti urea machine, keeping the machine in a secure location, the importance of a good shop location that farmers can conveniently

Farida sharing her experience on the use of UDP technology with her fellow farmers

AAPI Events in June In the month of June, AAPI is concentrating its activities for Aus paddy in one hand and taking preparation for Aman on the other hand. In this month the following main activities will be carried out.

83 batches of farmers training for Aus 2011 farmers

46 field demonstrations set up Thee motivational meeting with stakeholders One briquette producers technical training One small business management training One field trial on NPK Finalization of Aman 2011 workplan 115 batches of farmers training for Aman

2011 farmers

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visit, and the proper use and handling of Guti urea. Each of the aforementioned is important to the success of your business and must be well considered for good business management. But there are many other factors that you will need to consider as you begin to operate and seek to expand your Guti urea shop. Some of the important elements of good business management follow.

Be customer (farmer) oriented that means to treat each farmer/customer with respect. Be fair and honest in dealing with the farmer. Give the farmer good quality Guti urea with the correct weight in the bag. Your prices should be fair and reasonable to you and the farmer. Give good advice to farmers on how to apply the Guti urea.

Understand the basic elements of marketing and give attention to each on a regular basis: 1. Product Three aspects are particularly

important: (a) achieving high quality Guti urea that is consistent in shape with few broken pieces, the correct weight, and free of moisture; (b) understanding how to apply the Guti urea for maximum benefit; and (c) understanding both the agronomic and economic benefits that the farmer should get from using Guti urea. KNOWING YOUR PRODUCT is paramount to success.

2. Place Selection of a good location is important to give farmers convenient access to your shop. The shop should be in a secure location and on high ground to avoid normal flooding. The hours of operation should be convenient to farmers for buying Guti.

3. Promotion The Guti urea supplier (along with the DAE officials) can greatly influence farmer demand for Guti urea. Effective methods include using wall hangings, handing out technical brochures, posting signboards, and holding educational sessions for farmer groups. Hosting field demonstrations for Guti urea is highly effective; it should be done with lead farmers and involve IFDC and DAE.

4. Price In deciding the price to charge for Guti, you should consider such factors as costs of manufacture of Guti urea, farmer


demand for Guti vis--vis prilled urea, and competition. Ultimately, the Guti urea supplier will have to cover all of the costs of doing business in order to stay in business. Charging a fair price to farmers that is achieving a reasonable return on investment will help to improve the chance of success.

Planning is a key to success, so do not underestimate its importance. Planning applies to: 1. Budget Each year and each quarter you

should develop a budget of all expected expenses and revenues by cost category. This will help you to manage your finances.

2. Finances It is important that your shop make a profit and that you meet your daily expenses. Cash flow management is essential so that you can pay your obligations and buy needed supplies and materials as well as cover operating costs.

3. Asset management It is necessary to keep accurate records of inventory, both of conventional urea so that you can have enough supply to make Guti and also Guti urea to maintain a reasonable supply to meet demand.

4. Promotion campaign Promoting Guti urea requires advance planning to ensure your wall hangings are in place before the season, to arrange a good-quality demonstration plot, and to coordinate with DAE and organizations such as IFDC for educational programs for your customer farmers.

5. Growth of your business That growth applies to (among others) (a) making arrangements for adequate physical space and additional shop locations; (b) holding employee trainings to better educate and improve the knowledge of your workers; and (c) increasing the scope of your business to include other fertilizer products (remember that Guti urea contains only N, but farmers also need other fertilizers [e.g., those containing phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur] as well as complementary goods).

(to be continued ........) * * *

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Notes from Chief of Party, AAPIInside this issue:Volume 3Accelerating Agriculture Productivity Improvement (AAPI)AAPI NEWS BULLETINMay 31, 2011A project supported by USAID in collaboration with DAEAAPI NEWS BULLETINVolume 3AAPI NEWS BULLETINVolume 3AAPI NEWS BULLETINVolume 3AAPI NEWS BULLETINVolume 3AAPI NEWS BULLETINVolume 3

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AAPI Bulletin Vol 3 May2011 (Eng)