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Browsing Presentations by Author "Bindraban, Prem S."
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- ItemEffects of Micronutrient on Productivity and Profitability of Rice under Three Growing Environments in Tanzania(2018) Kalimuthu Senthilkumar; Fitta Silas Sillo; B.J. Tesha; Ibnou Dieng; Jonne Rodenburg; Kazuki Saito; E. Vandamme; Christian O. Dimkpa; Wendt John; Bindraban, Prem S.Rice production in sub-Saharan Africa is often limited by nutrient deficiencies, necessitating the application of micronutrients along with NPK fertilizers to enhance and sustain yields. This study aimed to compare the efficiency and effectiveness of foliar and soil-applied micronutrients in rice production and analyze their cost-effectiveness. Thirty on-farm trials were conducted in three rice-growing conditions: irrigated lowland, rainfed lowland, and upland. Multiple treatments were applied, including five foliar nutrient products and one soil application of micronutrients per trial, under two blocks of NPK and no NPK. The results revealed significant yield increases with the application of micronutrients in rainfed and irrigated lowlands, but the effectiveness in upland conditions remained unclear. Soil application of micronutrients showed higher yield and economic benefits than foliar application, albeit at higher application rates. Therefore, in Tanzania's rainfed and irrigated lowland conditions, soil and foliar application of micronutrients can be recommended, but further studies are required for confirmation. The study also highlighted the variability in micronutrients' efficiency and cost benefits across different rice growing conditions. The findings emphasize the importance of considering site-specific factors and the choice of application method for optimizing rice production in Tanzania.
- ItemFertilizer and Nutrient Management Strategies to Build Soil Health in African Agriculture(2023-11) Bindraban, Prem S.; Upendra Singh; Rob JJ Groot; Bernard Vanlauwe; Kido Kouassi; Patrice AnnequinThere is broad consensus that sustainable intensification is the most effective pathway to improve food security and reduce poverty on the African continent. Healthy soils form the foundation to sustainably increase crop yields that can be maintained through Integrated Soil Fertility Management which integrates the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers for balanced nutrition along with other agronomic practices. However, current cultivation practices of insufficient use of fertilizers cause soil nutrient mining and degradation of African soils and farm communities to spiral into poverty. The African Union has embraced this notion to maintain the health of soils through ISFM and plans to endorse the approach at their Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in June 2023, in Dakar, Senegal. An action plan is under construction to implement soil health improvement practices. Awareness around the importance of soils and the need for the judicious use of fertilizers has been growing in the international development arena and donors are committing themselves to contribute to the action plan. This presentation will elaborate on the outcomes of the Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit and the committed actions to improve soil health on the African continent for agricultural intensification.
- ItemInnovative Fertilization and Application Technologies to Increase Yield and Nutritional Value of Crops Under Field and Farm Conditions in Africa(2021-11-09) Bindraban, Prem S.The African continent is in dire need of Innovative Fertilizers and Application Technologies (IFAT) with targeted combinations of macro and micronutrients to meet site and crop specific needs to increase crop yield and meet growing food demand. IFAT will also increase the nutritional content of crop produced to fight hidden hunger, such as by reducing phytate content and simultaneously increasing zinc and iron content that improves their bio-availability to humans. Moreover, IFAT improves plant health to mitigate the impact of changing climate and enhance the resilience of the production system. Obviously, IFAT are not isolated technical solutions but must be embedded in societal, political, industrial systems that calls for a transformation of the food and fertilizer sector to reach impact at scale. Hence, widespread adoption must be driven by evidence-based agro-technical and socio-economic perspectives embedded in multi-stakeholder processes to create conducive conditions for adoption. This systematic research and implementation approach will be highlighted in the presentation. It will be illustrated by experiences from development programs implemented by the Research and Development Organization IFDC, and more specifically with an on-going program on “Fertilizer Research and Responsible Implementation” in Ghana.
- ItemNutrient Use Efficiency in the Sub-Saharan Africa Agro-Ecosystem: Recent Research Achievements and New Opportunities(2021-11-08) Andre Bationo; Bindraban, Prem S.; Sampson Agyin-Birikorang; Obanyi, S.; Idriss Sermé; Sibiri Jean Baptiste TaondaAttainment of self- sufficiency in food production remains one of the biggest challenges facing sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Several SSA countries are food insecure and have persistently been unable to feed their population and therefore identified as a future hotspot for food shortage due to low agricultural yields. Over the past 40 years, agricultural production has increased at a rate of 2.5% per year in SSA compared to 2.9% in Latin America and 3.5% in southeastern Asia. As a result of the situation, Africa is a net food-importing region. Food imports in Africa rose from USD 88 billion in 2006 to about USD 119 billion in 2007. The number of chronically under-nourished people increased from 168 million in 1990-1992 to 194 million in 1997–1999. for the past three decades. This leaves African families with ever less opportunity to feed themselves and their children. Malnutrition remains shockingly common in Africa. SSA uses 8 kg per hectare of NPK fertilizer, the lowest in the world (the world average is 100 kg per hectare of NPK). Because of the low use of fertilizers, crop yield has stagnated in the past 50 years causing food insecurity and, with increased area in cultivation, deforestation. In addition to low use of fertilizers, fertilizer use efficiency is the lowest in the world leading to relatively poor productivity increase due to fertilizer resulting in poorer economic returns. In this paper we will first review the changes in paradigms for improved nutrient use efficiency in SSA before presenting research highlights on the effect of good agronomic practices, soil organic carbon, improved seed, sources and management of fertilizers and soil and water conservation on the improvement of nutrient use efficiency as well as the new research challenges.
- ItemShocks and Structural Issues for African Food Production; How to Continue?(2022-09-05) Bindraban, Prem S.In response to rising concerns about African food security and the impact of external shocks, FoodFIRST organized a Vijverberg session on August 29, 2022. This presentation examines the effects of soaring food and fertilizer prices since the war in Ukraine on African food production. The session featured insights from experts such as Dr. Ir. Prem Bindraban and Jan Willem Molenaar. Bindraban highlights the necessity of fertilizer for achieving food security and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Africa, dispelling misconceptions about its overuse. Molenaar emphasizes the urgency of addressing structural weaknesses in African agriculture, presenting a systems-based approach to sector transformation. Key takeaways include the need for a long-term vision, addressing root causes, and fostering local ownership. Policy insights focus on optimizing fertilizer use, promoting soil health, and encouraging stakeholder engagement. This session underscores the urgency of coordinated efforts to transform African agriculture sustainably and inclusively, even in the face of global challenges.