Science with a human faceInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

Key messages1. Fertilizer use is the quickest way to restore soil nutrients lost over the years and simultaneously

increase crop yields.2. Resource-poor farmers do not buy fertilizer because they are unable to afford the large size

packages. Farmers can sustainably increase the use of fertilizer if smaller (more affordable) packages are made available to them.

3. Thereisamarketforsmallfertilizerpacksamongfirst-timeusersoffertilizer.Thisispartlybecause they can experiment with less risk.

4. Public–private partnership between ICRISAT, LPDA, SASOL Nitro and Progress Milling has managed to improve fertilizer access to smallholder farmers in the Limpopo Province.

BackgroundAs in the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, smallholder crop production in South Africa is characterized by the low use of agricultural inputs such as improved seeds and mineral fertilizers, low inherent soil fertility, and nutrient-depleted soils. The situation is made worse by the monoculture of maize and sorghum which are the staple crops in the relatively wetter and drier areas respectively. Fertilizershavebeenidentifiedasthekeytoimprovedyields.However,thechallengeisthatAfrican farmers have poor access to fertilizers and cannot always afford them (Sachs, 2008). Also, fertilizers must be integrated with other inputs and proper soil management for their economic potential to be realized (Adesina 2001; Sanchez et al. 1997; Ramaru et al. 2000).

Conceptual framework In an attempt to solve these constraints, public-private partnerships were built to facilitate the packaging and uptake of different fertilizer packs by smallholder farmers. SASOL Nitro and Progress Milling constituted the private sector whereas the Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LPDA) represented the public sector. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) stood as a facilitating mechanism (Figure 1).

The primary objective of the consortium was to promote the sustainable use of fertilizer through more affordable fertilizer packages. Progress Milling has established small marketing depots throughout the province. ICRISAT conducted on-farm participatory trials through the soil fertility and water management project funded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) inconjunctionwithLPDAandLimpopoAgriculturalStrategicTeam(LIMPAST)extensionofficers.

Figure 1. Interventions to increase fertilizer by smallholders farmers in Limpopo province.

MethodologyTwo household surveys were carried out in the Limpopo Province targeting farmers who had bought fertilizer for the 2005/06 and 2007/08 farming season. A total of 75 farmers were selected and interviewedinthefirstseason.Inthesecondseason180farmerscomprising120buyersand60non-buyers of fertilizer were interviewed. A reconnaissance survey of Progress Milling depots that had sold small packs of fertilizer was conducted to assess the status of fertilizer sales. Thirteen depots with a record of receiving and selling fertilizer for the season under reference were randomly selected out of73depotsintheprovince.Agriculturalextensionofficerswhowerewithinthevicinityofthedepotswere interviewed on issues regarding fertilizer use as part of the reconnaissance survey.

Results and findings25% yield increaseIn the 2005/06 season, Progress Milling dominated the fertilizer market for smallholder farmers with a market share of 78%. This was because of the convenience to farmers of having fertilizer sold closer to their homestead at Progress Milling depots. ICRISAT also promoted the fertilizer application technique of microdosing through on-farm participatory trials conducted by extension agents. As a result of all these efforts crop yield increased by at least 25% (Minde et al., 2008). Resource-poor smallholder farmers are aware of the cost implications of production which explains the reasons for their preference of small packs (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Reasons for buying small packs of fertilizer.Source: ICRISAT survey data 2007

Micro-dosing demonstration in South Africa.

Farmer profileItwasfarmerswhowereeitherusingfertilizerforthefirsttime;whoownedsmallplotsoflandorwere involved in backyard vegetable gardening who preferred small packs. Most farmers with experience in fertilizer use and who consistently applied fertilizer purchased 50 kg packs of fertilizer.

Way forward Demonstration trials and training in microdosing can enhance the use of small packs for the purposes of experimenting as a stepping stone to increased fertilizer use. The public-private partnership−ICRISAT-LPDA-SASOLNitro-ProgressMilling−hasmanagedtoimprovefertilizeraccesstosmallholderfarmersintheLimpopoProvince.However,thispartnershipneedstobesustained for meaningful future access to fertilizers by farmers.

ReferencesAdesina A. 2001. Africa’s Food Challenge. Paper presented at the launch of the Agro Natural ResourcesCouncilofZimbabwe,29October–2November,2001.RockefellerFoundation,Harare,Zimbabwe.

Minde, I.J., Tarisayi Pedzisa and John Dimes 2008. Improving access and utilization of fertilizer by smallholder farmers in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Project Report No. 3. ICRISAT-IDRC, ICRISAT, Bulawayo 43pp.

Ramaru J, Mamabolo Z and Lekgoro J. 2000. Improving soil fertility management in South Africa: Learning through participatory extension approaches. Managing Africa’s Soils No.19. Nottingham, UK: Russell Press.14pp.

Sachs J. 2008. A new deal for poor farmers. Policy Innovations Carnegie Council’s online magazine. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/ sachs141

SanchezPA.2002.EcologySoilFertilityandHungerinAfrica.Science295:2019−2020.

This work was funded by IDRC

Masenya Masenya, Jean Simpungwe, John Dimes,Tarisayi Pedzisa and Isaac Minde

Masenya Masenya, Jean Simpungwe, John Dimes,Tarisayi Pedzisa and Isaac Minde