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Browsing Miscellaneous by Subject "Agricultural sector"
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- ItemIFDC Report, Volume 13, No. 3(1988-09) IFDCThis report discusses various aspects of agricultural practices and technologies related to vegetable production in the Salinas Valley, California, USA. It covers digital computerized photography for crop production, dry and fluid fertilizer application, modern irrigation technology, drip irrigation for small farmers, chemical application through the pivot system, reduced tillage systems, maximum economic yield research, modern fertilizer handling systems, and hydroponic systems. The report highlights a training program conducted by IFDC, focusing on advances in fertilizer and irrigation technology in the United States, investment analysis and decision-making for fertilizer sector projects, and fertilizer sector development training for graduate students. The program aimed to share and evaluate innovative ideas and concepts gained from observations of new practices in crop production. The report also includes information on IFDC's assessment of Nigeria's fertilizer distribution system and a fertilizer market study in Nigeria.
- ItemIFDC Report, Volume 19, No. 4(1994-12) IFDCThis report provides an update on the work and progress of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) in implementing the Fertilizer Distribution Improvement Project-II (FDI-II) in Bangladesh. The project aimed to establish a market-driven fertilizer distribution system, resulting in efficient and cost-effective distribution. The project's accomplishments include the elimination of fertilizer subsidies and distribution support costs to the government, creating new entrepreneurial opportunities, and increasing food production and security. The report highlights key lessons learned from the project. Firstly, the Bangladeshi government was crucial in implementing policy changes to stimulate the agricultural sector. Strong political will, broad consensus, and firm commitment were necessary for successful implementation. Secondly, the project demonstrated the importance of competitive market forces in driving agricultural sector efficiencies. The reforms in the fertilizer sector created a competitive market, leading to increased fertilizer availability and reduced prices, which stimulated fertilizer use and agricultural production. Thirdly, the report emphasizes the essential role of collaboration between donors, consultants, and the government in achieving project success. The relationship between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Agriculture, and IFDC was based on trust and confidence, with the Ministry implementing fundamental policy changes recommended by IFDC. Additionally, the timely and systematic flow of information was critical in keeping stakeholders informed about changing market conditions and aiding sound decision-making. The report concludes by stressing the importance of technology transfer, commercial credit, and support for government employees during the transition to a market-oriented economy. Furthermore, it highlights the potential for replicating the successes of the IFDC project in other agricultural sectors and calls for similar initiatives to address food production challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. The proposed program involves utilizing funds to buy fertilizer, auctioning it to private dealers, and reinvesting the proceeds to develop the private sector, enhance agricultural productivity, and tackle regional food security issues.
- ItemIFDC Report, Volume 37, No. 1(2012) IFDCThis report provides an update on the work and progress of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), a public international organization dedicated to increasing and sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in developing countries. The report covers various topics, including implementing the Cocoa for a Better Life UDP Trials in Kenya and developing the agriculture sector in Bangladesh. It highlights IFDC's commitment to Africa and its efforts to support smallholder farmers in breaking free from the poverty cycle. The report also acknowledges the contributions of key individuals and divisions within IFDC. IFDC aims to drive sustainable development and address food security challenges by disseminating effective crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.
- ItemIFDC Report, Volume 37, No. 4(2012) IFDCThis report provides an overview of the work and progress of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) in Africa. The IFDC has adopted a broad approach to empower targeted participants and create centers of excellence, focusing on capacity development and entrepreneurship. The report highlights the concept of empowerment within the Center of Agricultural Systems and Entrepreneurship (CASE) framework, emphasizing the importance of enabling individuals to control their fate and advocating for change within the agricultural sector. The report further explores agribusiness clusters' role and significance in building agricultural value chains. It discusses the need to link farmers with various stakeholders, such as farmer organizations, agro-dealers, and financial institutions, to ensure sustainable and inclusive agricultural development. By strengthening these value chains, smallholder farmers gain access to inputs, markets, and credit, which enhances their business opportunities and independence. Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) is another crucial component discussed in the report. ISFM addresses the issue of soil fertility, a major cause of food insecurity in Africa. By combining mineral fertilizers with locally available organic amendments, ISFM improves soil nutrient levels and promotes sustainable agricultural practices. The report emphasizes the importance of transferring ISFM methods to farmers and highlights IFDC's success in introducing these techniques to African farmers. The report also highlights the significance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in agricultural development. PPPs bring together public-sector institutions and private-sector organizations to accomplish shared objectives that cannot be achieved individually. The report provides examples of successful PPPs, such as IFDC's partnership with the cassava processing industry, which has created opportunities for smallholder farmers to access reliable markets and sell their produce at pre-established prices. Additionally, the report introduces the 2SCALE project, which focuses on developing competitive agribusiness clusters and value chains in Africa. The project involves private sector engagement to increase agricultural production and improve livelihoods for smallholder producers. By partnering with large-scale private sector companies and expanding to new countries, 2SCALE aims to demonstrate business effectiveness in the African agro-food sector and ensure value chain sustainability. To support these efforts, IFDC is implementing market information systems (MIS) to enhance agricultural stakeholders' access to accurate and up-to-date market data. Mobile applications like the farms' platform enable efficient communication and coordination within agricultural value chains.