IFDC Publications
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing IFDC Publications by Author "Bindraban, Prem S."
Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- ItemAgricultural Transformation, Developments, and Strategies in Africa(2022-08-04) Oumou Camara; Bindraban, Prem S.; William AdzawlaThis article discusses agricultural transformation, developments, and strategies in Africa, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing the continent. It examines the importance of agricultural development in Africa's economy and its role in achieving food security and reducing poverty. Despite various initiatives and commitments by African countries and international organizations, progress in agricultural transformation has been slow. The article emphasizes the need for sustainable approaches to address challenges such as land degradation, climate change, and inefficient fertilizer use. It also calls for improved infrastructure, technology adoption, and policy support to boost agricultural productivity and ensure food security for Africa's growing population.
- ItemEstimation of Water-Limited Maize Yield using the LINTUL-2 Model and Spatial Analysis of the Yield Gap in Ghana(2023) K.B.D. Simperegui; Bindraban, Prem S.; Anselme K. K. Kouame; D.H. Peluffo-Ordóñez; Williams K. AtakoraMaize holds a significant position within Ghana’s cereal production, contributing to 45% of the total cereal production. Despite this, the average maize yield of 2.4 metric tons per hectare (mt ha-1) between 2017 and 2019 falls well below its potential range of 5-6 mt ha-1. To comprehensively grasp the dynamics of the maize yield gap in Ghana, we employed the light use efficiency(LINTUL-2) crop model alongside statistical and geospatial analyses. This allowed us to assess the variability of maize water-limited potential yield and yield gap across 10 designated study sites, extending our evaluation to a national scale. Utilizing random forest regression, followed by ridge regression, we endeavored to uncover the principal drivers behind maize yield gap in Ghana. Our findings reveal a water-limited yield gap ranging from 18% to 74% across the 10 study sites and diverse fertilizer treatments. The combined approach of random forest and ridge regression, explaining 87% of the yield gap variability (RMSE = 472.6kg ha-1), highlights noteworthy trends. Notably, at a 5% confidence level, soil organic matter, soil carbon content, base saturation, and soil nitrogen content emerge as the most influential factors, explaining 13.81%, 13.80%, 11.56% and 10.25% of the maize yield gap variability under water limited conditions, respectively. The Ridge Regression underscores the significance of soil organic matter, base saturation, soil nitrogen content, nitrogen application, phosphorus application, potassium application, and sulfur application for reducing the maize yield gap. Our research also emphasis the potential of sulfur application as a secondary nutrient to effectively decrease the maize yield gap, particularly when integrated with macronutrients (NPK) and the kriging interpolation reveals high potential for maize production in the northern part of the country.
- ItemIdentifying Drivers for Variability in Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield in Ghana: A Meta-Regression Approach(IFDC, 2023-04-05) Bindraban, Prem S. ; Anselme K. K. Kouame; Isaac N. Kissiedu; Williams K. Atakora; Khalil El MejahedCONTEXT: Maize is the main cereal crop in Ghana, but its production is adversely affected by various biotic and abiotic factors. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to highlight the factors related to maize yield variability. To this end, yields from 978 data points within 3 agro-ecological zones (AEZs) were used in crop-based and statistical modelling. METHODS: The Quantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils (QUEFTS) model, the Linear Mixed Effects Model (LMM), and the Random Forest (RF) model were used to evaluate multiple effect sizes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Analyzing an entire set of yield data points with QUEFTS, and LMM explained 19%, and 26% of yield variability, respectively. Considering all data points in the RF model, nitrogen fertilizer (NF) rate, temperature, root zone depth, rainfall, and variety accounted for 27%, 15%, 13%, 10%, and 9% of yield variation, respectively. In Guinea Savanna (GS), Transition Zone (TZ), and Deciduous Forest (DF), QUEFTS explained 30%, 20%, and 4% of yield variability, respectively. LMM, however, explained 47%, 51%, and 79% of yield variability in those AEZs. LMM showed that the phosphorus fertilizer (PF) rate was important and exceeded the importance of the NF rate in GS. LMM showed also that yield variability was significantly related to maize variety at the AEZ scale. In DF, soil chemistry (marginal R2 = R2m = 0.48) and environmental variables (R²m = 0.43) contributed more to explaining yield variability, whereas in GS and TZ, fertilizer rates (R²m = 0.35 in GS and 0.26 in TZ) and variety (R²m = 0.04 in GS and 0.20 in TZ) played a much larger role. In GS, TZ, and DF, the RF model explained 74%, 79%, and 84% of the variance in yield, respectively. These findings suggest low impact of fertilization on yield on the inherently fertile soils in the DF, while fertilization drives yield increase in the less fertile TZ and GS AEZs. We may conclude that QUEFTS was unable to capture yield variability and, according to RF and LMM analysis, the NF rate was the most important factor in explaining yield variability in the data. It can also be concluded that the factors responsible for yield variability are AEZ dependent. SIGNIFICANCE: We discuss the implications of these findings to uncover factors driving maize yield variability. It also provides information to guide and prioritize actions to be taken based on the importance of these factors in contributing to yield variability
- ItemLight Use Efficiency Crop Model Effective for Identifying Driving Factors for Maize Yield Gap in Ghana(2023) Mohamed Boullouz; Isaac N. Kissiedu; Anselme K. K. Kouame; Krishna P. Devkota; Williams K. Atakora; Bindraban, Prem S.In Ghana, maize (Zea mays) is a crucial crop for achieving food security. The population of Ghana, which has grown exponentially over the past decades, consumes about 25% of its calories from maize. In order to assist in decisionmaking and guide investment in Ghana’s agricultural intensification process, this study set out to quantify and explain the yield gap for maize using a new methodological approach. The yield gap for maize was found to range from 14% to 96%. The variation in the yield gap within a single station was related to the varying levels of yield obtained with different fertilizer treatments. None of the fertilizer combinations led to total closure of the gap in the studied locations. To identify the drivers for the yield gap, a multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis appeared to explain 68% of the yield difference. The main factors influencing the yield gap in the study areas were soil organic matter, soil water-holding capacity, root zone depth, rainfall, sulfur (S) fertilizer, and nitrogen (N) fertilizer. By adding 1% more soil organic matter, the gap could be reduced by 1.3 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha). However, an increase in the pH of the soil and the application of potassium fertilizer could increase the yield gap of maize in Ghana.
- ItemSmart Fertilization and Water Management – Kenya-Netherlands Aidand-Trade Opportunities(2018-01) Bindraban, Prem S. ; Lawrence Mose; Michiel Hillen; María Ruipérez González; Mauritis Voogt; Johan Leenaars; Kees Langeveld; Nico HeerinkThis report describes the outcome of a feasibility study for demonstrating the development of a trade-and-aid relationship between Kenya and the Netherlands for sustainable agricultural intensification. Such intensification can be achieved by means of knowledge-intensive location- specific fertilizer and water management practices, driven by increased input-output agribusiness, with the ultimate aim to sustainably improve food and nutrition security in Kenya and create local jobs in the country. The outline and support for the study resulted from discussions between the project team and the Ministries of Economic Affairs (the Directorate-General for Agriculture), the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (the Directorate General for International Cooperation-DGIS) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands The governments of the world have agreed to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030 as one of the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Several studies show that investment in small-scale sustainable agriculture is an effective and proven way to reduce hunger and poverty in low-income countries, where agriculture may contribute up to 70% of the gross domestic product (GDP). Yet, public investment in agriculture is dismally low, with govemments allocating less than 2% of their central government expenditures to agriculture and 6-8% of their total official development assistance. Apart from public investments, public-private partnerships (PPPs) are considered essential in development cooperation to achieve sustained and widespread impact on poverty reduction. PPPs are partnerships between the government, the private sector, research institutions, and civil society organizations. The Kenya-Netherlands Green Deal (KNGD) PPP team, consisting of actors in agriculture, fertilizer, water management, logistics, and business development, proposes location-specific agronomic interventions to accelerate the agricultural productivity of maire and potato, important food security crops in Kenya. The interventions can be achieved by: (1) activating and gathering the contribution of PPP partners in the Netherlands and Kenya in the design of the interventions: (2) integrating practical experiences from past and current field operations with recent advanced big-data analytical methodologies for spatial extrapolation of the agronomic interventions; (3) generating information about business opportunities for actors along the entire value chain; and (4) creating instruments to develop enabling conditions for widespread adoption of the interventions. The proposed intervention is at the heart of the basic requirements for sustainably increasing agricultural productivity. Its validity has been proven in other parts of the world but needs to be adapted for local production, ecological, and socio-economic conditions. The nature of this intervention and the proposed approach for its implementation are not meant merely to be a one- time effort that ends after a proiect period but to be an integral part of the business and institutional 100% demonstration phase, which is outlined in this document, and an implementation phate my mamstream the demonstrated effects in businesses and institutions These two phases can also be smoothly merged. For decades, point-based agronomic experiments have been carried out to determine the impact of fertilization and other measures on crop response, but this information could not be extrapolated to larger areas because of specific soil and water conditions. This is especially true for Kenya. Current agro-ecological knowledge, combined with advanced IT- and satellite-based big-data analytical methodologies, allows for such specification and extrapolation. In this case, it will generate information about the total amount of specific nutrients (macro and micro) and other inputs required at local and regional scales. Chain actors can use the information to enhance their businesses. For example, farmers can select the most appropriate business solutions. Fertilizer companies can understand the potential market size and the exact formulation of fertilizer products required in their region; they also can explore available local sources of nutrients (recycle material). Logistics companies will be able to design optimal logistical solutions, and agro-dealers can tailor their distribution networks. Governments will be able to better direct their policies by stimulating the use of specific products. With advancements in the analytical methodology, the information may also lead to more accurate estimates of expected harvest volumes to inform buyers and to guide policymakers in their decisions about the amount and timing of food imports, if needed. This study reveals that accelerating maize and potato productivity and nutritional quality is feasible because: (1) the agro-technical opportunities to sustainably boost productivity, particularly smart fertilizers and water management, are large; (2) the Kenyan market has most basic elements in place, but (3) many relevant actors in Kenya run solitary operations to provide farmers with (their) specific products but lack the capacity to assess and develop the market, for which they call upon public sector support: (1) supporting Kenyan knowledge and governmental institutions to generate the required information, (5) which can be created in collaboration with Netherlands knowledge institutions; (6) industry parties in Kenya and beyond are eager to develop the Kenyan market, (7) financial parties are willing to provide services to chain actors under transparent market conditions; and (8) policy regulations could be adapted in support of the interventions informed by multi-stakeholder governing platforms, such as a National Fertilizer Board. The uniqueness of this methodology goes beyond approaches and initiatives that take part of the equation into consideration. We propose to develop a science-supported implementation program that combines advanced agro-technical insights for sustainable intensification with business opportunities for chain actors and the creation of enabling conditions. While this case has been developed specifically for Kenya, the approach is applicable for any other country in sub-Saharan Africa Methodological innovations contained in the proposed demonstration/implementation phase include the following: o Bottom-up agro-technical approach with farm participation and top-down advanced satellite and big-data analyses: o Advanced geo-spatial extrapolation methodologies of soil data points (FAO-endorsed). o Advanced, rapid, and automated (spectroscopic) soil testing. o Satellite imaging and processing for spatial-temporal water use optimization (FAO- endorsed). o Modeling and expert judgement-based analytical methodology for fertilizer recommendations. o Location-specific fertilizer and water management within the context of farm practices. o On-farm and on-station trials for ground-truthing and verification of fertilizer responses. Business cases: o Enhanced business opportunities for agro dealers. o Contracts and agreements between farm producers and buyers o International opportunities for trade in fertilizers and improved seeds o National business opportunities for blended fertilizers o Portfolio of financial services and credit facilities for chain actors Enabling conditions: o Facilitate development of a National Fertilizer Platform (NFP) with PPP actors o NFP to agree on actions to stimulate the development of the novel fertilizer market o Inform value chain actors about volumes of region-specific fertilizers for investment decisions. o Inform about water management practices to increase water use efficiency. o Enhance national capacity for seed production and testing. Outcomes include: • National awareness among actors to jointly unlock the potential of innovative fertilization. Joint creation of enabling conditions. • Value chain actors acting in harmony. • Learning by combined theory and practice. • Optimized use of natural resources, improvement of soil health, and an end to soil degradation through use of organic and inorganic fertilization. •Increased maize and potato production for improved nutritional quality and reduced losses •Increased on-farm food and nutrition security and income. Enhanced international trade in agro-inputs. •Vibrant value chains in maize and potato.
- ItemSoil and Water Interventions for Strategic Programming for Food Security in the Western Sahel: The Case of Burkina Faso(IFDC, 2020-12-14) Bindraban, Prem S.The Sahelian region faces immense challenges to safeguard the availability of sufficient food due to its poor biophysical conditions, exacerbated by population growth, urbanization and changing climate, which can all potentially destabilize the society. The prospects for the Sahelian region are discouraging, and resolution calls for change fundamental carrying capacity of the region, i.e., its potential ability to support plant Soil improvement and the timely availability of water are the most pressing production essential to coping with the huge spatiotemporal variability of resource availability. Successful pilots have been reported in this regard but have not reached sufficient scale to dem resolution of food insecurity. Therefore, this study will (1) describe the challenges, (2) quantify the spatiotemporal variability and possibilities for enhancing the production base of the Sahel, (3) present a concise in of successful pilots and programs, and (4) identify strategic partnerships among development donors, national governments, and agribusinesses to reach impact at scale building our insights around evidence from the Sahelian region, with Burkina Faso as a case country.
- ItemSoil Nutrients: The Key to Meeting the Triple Global Challenge of Food and Nutrition Security, Climate, and Biodiversity(2021-07-14) Bindraban, Prem S.; Rob JJ Groot; Upendra SinghThis article discusses the critical role of soil nutrients, including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and other micronutrients, in addressing the global challenges of food and nutrition security, climate change, and biodiversity. The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) emphasizes the importance of soil health and plant nutrition, especially in the context of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS). The article highlights the need to raise awareness about soil nutrients, particularly in Africa, where soil nutrient deficiencies are prevalent. It also addresses the excessive or inadequate use of mineral fertilizers and emphasizes the importance of efficient nutrient management. The article concludes by advocating for collective investments in soil health and the development of smart fertilizers to support sustainable and profitable food production in Africa.
- ItemThis War Will Claim More Lives through Hunger in Africa than Violence in Ukraine(2022-04-25) Bindraban, Prem S.In the opinion piece "This War Will Claim More Lives through Hunger in Africa than Violence in Ukraine," Dr. Prem Bindraban examines the impending humanitarian crisis in Africa due to heightened hunger, potentially outweighing the toll of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The article underscores the vulnerability of African nations, where a significant portion of household income is spent on food, and a quarter of the population struggles with food security. The confluence of factors, including the impact of COVID-19 and disruptions in fertilizer supply due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, threatens to reduce food production by up to a third. The author critiques the historical neglect of African agriculture in favour of raw material export, a stance reinforced by global policies that curtailed agricultural support. As population growth accelerates, the article calls for a holistic approach to agricultural development in Africa, drawing inspiration from successful models in Asia. The importance of reasonable fertilizer use, sustainable land and water management, and international collaboration is emphasized to prevent worsening hunger and foster Europe and Africa's prosperity
- ItemYield Gap Analysis of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Production in Morocco using a Light Use Efficiency Model (LINTUL) and Geostatistical Approaches(2023) Bouchra Darkaoui; Bindraban, Prem S.; Isaac N. Kissiedu; Martin Jemo; Anselme K. K. Kouame; Williams K. Atakora ; William AdzawlaWheat (Triticum aestivum) is a staple food crop in Morocco that plays an important role in the food security of the country. However, the crop production capacity of wheat at the national level is among the lowest at only at 1.6 metrictons per hectare(mt ha-1), compared to Egypt at 6.6 mt ha-1. Several detrimental biotic and abiotic factors curtailing wheat yield include climatic limitations, insufficient soil fertility, and inadequate management interventions. To better understand these drivers, this work simulates yield using a modeling approach based on light interception and utilization (LINTUL-1). The potential and observed yield data cover the period from 2011 to 2019 in various provinces of Morocco. The LINTUL-1 model was calibrated using crop characteristics and preliminary data generated from wheat production in Morocco. Geostatic techniques were further employed to physically map the levels of current yield production. The results showed that at the national scale the average simulated potential yield reached 5.5 mt ha-1, compared to an average observed yield of only 1.6 mt ha-1. The resulting yield gap was calculated for several different regions at an average of 3.9 mt ha-1. The yield gaps are controlled by many biotic and abiotic constraints, and the adoption of effective management techniques, such as fertilizer application, appropriate pest and disease management, and water management via irrigation, can reduce the gaps and contribute to food security in Morocco. Further studies to identify key factors that drive wheat yield variability at the regional yield level are envisaged to refine recommendations for farmers.