Balanced Nutrition
Approach
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
(N, P and K) are often the only fertilizers
accessible to smallholder farmers in
Africa. Yet these fertilizers often provide
only modest yield increases and returns
on fertilizer investments. Soil analyses
conducted by IFDC in various countries
identified multiple nutrient deficiencies
of secondary and micronutrients, in
addition to NPK deficiencies. Adding
deficient secondary and micronutrients
greatly increases yields as well as NPK
use efficiency.
IFDC projects mapped soil nutrient
levels in Burundi, Rwanda and parts
of Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia
and revealing large areas of multiple
nutrient deficiencies. These studies
show the nutrients most commonly
lacking in standard recommendations in
this region are the secondary nutrients
sulfur, calcium and magnesium and the
micronutrients zinc, boron and copper.
“Balanced nutrition” addresses deficient
nutrients simultaneously, ensuring
optimal response and economic
returns. For example, IFDC field
trials on seven crops in six countries
showed yield increases of up to 60
percent when standard NPK fertilizers
were supplemented with secondary
and micronutrients. Wide-scale
demonstrations in Rwanda and Burundi
show farmers the benefits of balanced
fertilizers. To meet farmers’ demand for
these new products, IFDC encourages
companies to manufacture innovative
fertilizer in small, more affordable
packages. IFDC also advocates for
policies that support farmer adoption of
improved products.
25 | 2014 ANNUAL REPORT