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IFDC’s fifty years of research and development on the use of phosphate rock as fertilizer
(SpringerNature Link, 2026-01-20) Hellums, Deborah T; Chien, S.H.; Prochnow, Luis I; Demiss, Mulugeta; Upendra, Singh
Phosphate rock (PR) is the key raw material in phosphatic fertilizers. However, the phosphorus (P) in PR is generally unavailable for crop nutrition. Currently, direct application of PR (DAPR) to crops accounts for less than 1% of the global annual P consumption of 21.4 million metric tons (Mt) of P equivalent. This paper reviews the International Fertilizer Development Center’s (IFDC) fifty years of research on DAPR as an alternative or supplement to water-soluble phosphate (WSP) fertilizers in acidic soils of the sub-humid and humid tropics. It highlights the significant advancements IFDC made in identifying basic principles determining the effectiveness of PR fertilizers including mineralogy, chemical reactivity, surface area and influential soil and crop factors. It also summarizes agronomic outcomes and identified economic factors impacting PR use. Examples of the use of the PR decision support system (PRDSS) developed by IFDC to integrate soil, crop, PR source and site factors to predict the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) and economic feasibility of the PR source are presented. Finally, the paper summarizes specific farming strategies and ongoing research that will influence the direct application of PR in the future.
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Training Course on DRIVING INCLUSIVE AGRIBUSINESS - 2SCALE APPROACH
(IFDC, 2025-10-03) 2SCALE PROJECT Staff
Built on over 12 years of hands-on experience, the course serves as both a training toolkit and a roadmap for fostering inclusive growth in agri-food value chains.
The Facilitator Guide is designed to be used by leaders supporting and working for organizations, projects/programs, and businesses to help small groups interact more efficiently and foster knowledge sharing and exchanges. Through interactive learning, real-life cases, and collaborative exercises, facilitators are encouraged to navigate participants through a process that inspires leadership for inclusive change.
The course is structured into three modules, designed to be delivered over five days in a progressive sequence that builds critical knowledge and skills. Additionally, these modules are available as individual documents, allowing facilitators and learners to access and engage with them at their own pace and based on their specific needs.
Module 1: Fundamentals of the Inclusive Agribusiness Approach
This introductory module helps participants understand the core principles of inclusive agribusiness and how to apply them in real-world settings. It sets the foundation for developing business models that are both commercially viable and socially inclusive.
Module 2: Inclusive Agribusiness Partnerships – The Co-Creation Process
This module dives into the process of forming inclusive agribusiness partnerships. It guides participants through the key steps of co-creation and provides practical tools to structure and govern effective collaborations.
Module 3: Facilitating and Sustaining Partnerships
The final module equips participants with the skills needed to sustain partnerships over time. It emphasizes the role of facilitators in designing action plans, managing relationships within partnerships, and ensuring continuous learning and adaptation.
By sharing these resources, 2SCALE aims to ensure that the inclusive agribusiness ecosystem continues to thrive and expand, led by local champions and institutional partners ready to carry the mission forward.
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Fertilizer Management for Horticultural Crops using Digital Soil Maps
(2021-09) Shree Prasad Vista; Yam Kanta Gaihre
Production and productivity of any specific horticultural, as well as other crops, depends on the climate, soil characteristics, management inputs, etc. Digital soil maps (DSM) of Nepal, recently developed and launched by the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, can be used as an evidencebased decision-making tool to manage optimum soil-based agricultural inputs. A digital soil map can provide basic information on soil properties including soil pH, soil texture, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and micronutrients zinc, and boron. Based on the information generated through DSM, policymakers and planners can design and develop horticultural programs; researchers can optimize their resources by conducting research in one area and recommend it for the similar domain; extensionist can use DSM for agro-advisory services; academia can use it as teaching materials and farmers can use DSM for assessing available resources to manage their soil for enhancing production and productivity of horticultural crops.
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Impact of Micronized Sulfur and Nitrogen Stabilizers on Nitrogen Transformation and Losses from Urea
(2024-11-13) Syam Dodla; Kiran Pavuluri; Upendra Singh; Wendie D. Bible; Job Fugice; Jason Obrien; Rafael A. Garcia; Kent Martin
While fertilizers are vital for food production, their environmental and health impacts necessitate a redesign. This study explores new micronized sulfur-containing nitrogen fertilizers (MSN) that offer potential benefits compared to traditional options. The objective is to understand the transformation and loss pathways of MSN such as 40-0-0-13 (MSN40) and 11-0-0-75 (MSN11) in different soil types. This study evaluated the transformation and loss pathways of nitrogen (N) from above fertilizers with and without urease (UI) and nitrification (NI) inhibitors in comparison to Urea. Results of the study showed that the MSN fertilizers had slightly lower and delayed peak NH3 volatilization compared to Urea. The use of UI with MSN fertilizers reduced NH3 volatilization losses more effectively than UI usage with Urea, indicating potential synergies between UI and S. The hydrolysis of MSN fertilizers was slowed down by the UI under both acidic and alkaline conditions similar to Urea fertilizer. The coating of MSN fertilizers with UI+NI significantly delayed NH4+ nitrification, in a manner that was either better (with MSN11) or similar to what was observed with Urea fertilizer. Coating of MSN fertilizers with UI or UI+NI delayed N leaching losses, indicating prolonged N availability in the soil. These results were corroborated by a greenhouse sorghum study where MSN fertilizers with UI or UI+NI led to higher total N uptake and higher grain yield than Urea fertilizer with UI or UI+NI. MSN fertilizers also resulted in higher total sulfur (S) uptake by sorghum, indicating improved S nutrition. Overall, the study revealed MSN fertilizers had significantly improved total N uptake by sorghum and had similar to significantly higher grain yields, especially at lower N application rate due to decreased N losses. Both urease and nitrification inhibitors show potential to further improve grain yields with MSN fertilizers similar.
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Transfer Efficient Agricultural Technology through Market Systems in Mozambique- Baseline Report September 2021
(2021-09)
TEAMS program engaged 15,418 farmers (62% women) which are being assisted with traineingson the best agricultural practices to increase productivity and resilience to climate change. In partneship with SDAEs and large inputs supply companies, the program is assisting farmers through technicians and through ICT4Ag packages. The program also explored partnerships and synergies with other partners or initiatives outside the consortium. For instance, TEAMS collaborated with the Peace Process Secretariat (PPS) in assisting the Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR) process through training demobilized guerrillas in CSA and business skills as part of social reintegration. A total of 590 (62 women) ex-combatants were integrated into farmer groups assisted by the program and developed skills for agriculture activity. Therefore, this report provides information on the activities carried out by the TEAMS program in the Manica and Sofala province as follows:
Main findings
• 47% of the interviewed farmers have primary education, 33% have no schooling and 19% have secondary education. More details are in the chart below.
• The Farmer households have on average between 6 and 7 members (6 in Sofala province and & in Manica province), with 52% between 4 and 8 members, these households cultivate areas ranging from 0.1 to 16 Acre.
• 50% of the areas from 2.1 to 4 hectares, 27% from 0 to 2 hectares, and 15% with an area of 4.1 to 6 hectares. 69% of the land plowed by farmers is nearly flat and 31% is sloped.
• For the cultivation process, 92% farmers are using labor from family members, 5% use hired labor, and 3% use labor from family, friends, and neighbors.
• The land is mostly (58.8%) owned by adult men and 40.3% owned by adult women.
• During the last 12 months, farmers produced 96% corn, 32% caw pea, 30% graded nuts, 26% beans, 26% rice, 24% sweet potatoes, 23% sesame, 21% cassava, vegetables, pumpkin, and sorghum.
• The average corn crops the farmer's harvest is 500 kg/ha, 451 kg/ha in Sofala, and 551 kg/ha in Manica, this production is mostly destined for consumption in the household, and a small part 28% is for marketing.
• For rice cultivation, farmers reported harvesting 365 kg/ha, being 422 kg/ha in Sofala and 308 kg in Sofala province, this production is for household consumption and sale, only farmers in Sofala province reported selling rice produced.
• The average bean crop is harvested at 230 kg/ha, most of which are for household consumption and a small amount for marketing, only farmers in the province of Manica reported selling the beans produced.
The most important for the household, 90% is corn, followed by rice and beans.
• 75% of farmers cultivate Kale, 60% Tomatoes, 50% Cabbage and Lecture
• 49% of farmers have Mango trees, 35% bananas, 20% papaya, and 15% Pineapple and Guava.
• 75% of farmers did not use any type of agricultural inputs and 25% had used at least one type of agricultural input in the last 12 months. 15% used fertilizers, 6% used pesticides and improved seeds.
• 52 Farmers obtain seeds less than 20 km, 4 between 20 and 40 km, and the rest more than 100 km from their household.
• 17% of the households had irrigated agricultural areas and 83% did not. 70% use pouring water by hand, 16% use an Electric or diesel pump.
• Farmers, irrigate their farm in June, July, and August with 13%, 14%, and 15% of responses and in the remaining months of the year with percentages ranging from 5% to 7%.
• 71% of farmers tilled their agricultural areas using swamps (using hands), 20% used animal traction and 3% answered using machines for farming.
• 90% of farmers do not use vegetables to improve soil fertility, 33% of Farmers plants vegetables as a food and sale crop, 6% plants before or after culture, and 5% intercrop.
• The income obtained from the sale of agricultural production 96% used to compare food, 50% to buy possessions (clothes, vehicles, items for the family), 42% with household members (education, health, travel, etc.), and 30% is used to invest in agriculture.
• Farmers have other sources of income, 9% Have onw Business, 5% Work in local business, 3% Labor on other farms, Labor, not on farm and Sale of firewood or charcoal, 2% Work for government or public institution.
• Income from activities outside agriculture 22% used to compare food, 19% to buy possessions (clothes, vehicles, family items), 17% with household members (education, health, travel, etc.), and 10% is used to invest in agriculture
• 60% of the farmers going hungry in January and February, 50% in November and December. In Sofala province with less intensity in November and December with an average below 40%.
• Farmers fed mostly (above 50%) with tubers, vegetables, and leafy vegetables, 30% with vegetables, less than 20% with nut seeds, fruits, eggs, meat, and milk.
In 2020, 71% of farmers are unable to eat healthy and nutritious food, 68% until only a few kinds of foods, 67% worried about not having enough to eat, 64% had to skip a meal, 63% until less than you thought should, 53% were hungry but did not eat, 52% ran out of food, 29% went without eating for a whole day.
• During the best months of the year, 48% of farmers eat food produced in their fields, 38% bought it, 8% received or made some exchange and 5% did not eat.
• During the worst months of the year, 49% of farmers eat purchased products, 41% depend on what they produce, 7% do not eat, and 6% depend on offers.
• Last year 44% of farmers received aid from the government, NGOs, or other organizations. Of those who received, 89% received agricultural inputs, 44% received food, 2% received money and or animals.
• The assisted farmers raise 50% chickens, 30% goats, 20% cattle and less than 10% raise pigs. Farmers in Manica Province raise more goats and cattle while in Sofala Province raise more Chickens and Goats.