Newsletters

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    ACTU ENGRAIS-Édition de juillet 2023
    (2023-07)
    AfricaFertilizer, en collaboration avec le Centre international de développement des engrais (IFDC) et Development Gateway, a développé et déployé avec succès sept tableaux de bord VIFAA (Visualisation des connaissances sur les engrais pour l'agriculture africaine). Ces tableaux de bord offrent des statistiques cruciales sur les engrais aux parties prenantes au Ghana, au Kenya, au Malawi, au Nigeria, au Sénégal, en Éthiopie et en Zambie, permettant des décisions éclairées en matière d'activités commerciales et de politiques. Soutenus par la Fondation Bill & Melinda Gates, ces tableaux de bord facilitent des réponses rapides aux changements du marché, garantissant la fourniture en temps opportun d'engrais appropriés aux producteurs agricoles. Le site Web d'AfricaFertilizer permet l'accès à ces tableaux de bord ainsi que la possibilité de comparer les prix, la production, le commerce et la consommation d'engrais dans plus de 18 pays d'Afrique subsaharienne. Cet article propose également une analyse régionale de la dynamique du marché des engrais, des tendances en matière de tarification et des initiatives gouvernementales visant à améliorer la productivité agricole grâce à des engrais abordables.
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    ACTU ENGRAIS-Édition d’avril 2023
    (2023-01)
    L'article traite des développements récents dans l'industrie des engrais en Afrique, en mettant particulièrement l'accent sur l'initiative "Visualizing Insights on Fertilizer for African Agriculture" (VIFAA) financée par la Fondation Bill & Melinda Gates. AfricaFertilizer, en collaboration avec Development Gateway et IREX venture, a lancé des tableaux de bord supplémentaires en Éthiopie, au Malawi, au Mozambique, au Sénégal et en Zambie pour fournir des informations cruciales sur les engrais. Ces tableaux de bord visent à combler les lacunes en matière d'information, à soutenir les décisions politiques et d'investissement, et à offrir des données à jour pour répondre aux changements sur le marché. L'article présente également des commentaires sur les prix des engrais dans différents pays africains, mettant en évidence les facteurs influençant l'offre et la demande.
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    ACTU ENGRAIS-Édition Janvier
    (2023-01)
    La première édition du journal trimestriel Actu-Engrais de l'année présente un aperçu complet du marché des engrais, couvrant les informations d'octobre à décembre 2022. Cette édition marque le début d'une série annuelle, avec des parutions ultérieures prévues pour avril, juillet et décembre. La section commentaire plonge dans la dynamique des marchés des engrais de divers pays. En Côte d'Ivoire, la demande en engrais a connu une forte baisse après la saison principale de croissance, avec des réductions de prix anticipées en raison des tendances du marché international. Pendant ce temps, le Ghana connaît des prix stables pour les engrais, bien que les producteurs luttent contre une forte inflation qui entrave leur capacité d'achat. Les efforts du Nigeria pour éviter une crise alimentaire ont conduit le Fonds international de développement agricole (FIDA) à allouer une subvention de 5 millions de dollars pour soutenir l'agriculture en saison sèche à la suite des inondations dévastatrices. Le marché sénégalais des engrais lutte contre une faible disponibilité chez les distributeurs, ayant un impact limité sur la demande après la période de pic d'utilisation. Lors du Forum des producteurs agricoles du Togo, le leadership du pays a souligné le rôle de l'agriculture dans le développement économique, réaffirmant l'engagement du gouvernement à soutenir le secteur agricole. Le journal présente également des tableaux détaillés présentant les prix moyens des engrais dans des pays sélectionnés et les prix internationaux du marché des engrais, accompagnés d'analyses d'experts. Parmi les développements notables, on trouve la réception par l'Éthiopie d'engrais NPS, NPSB et urée au port de Djibouti, les initiatives du Kenya visant à améliorer les rendements des cultures grâce à des mélanges adaptés basés sur la cartographie des sols, et la diminution des stocks d'engrais au Malawi pendant la saison de plantation en cours. Le Mozambique a lancé le programme Sustain Africa (SUSTENTA) pour faire face à l'augmentation des coûts des intrants, tandis que le Rwanda a augmenté les subventions aux engrais pour améliorer l'accessibilité. La Tanzanie a mis en œuvre un programme de subventions pour améliorer l'accès des producteurs, et l'Ouganda a conclu sa deuxième saison de plantation, avec des attentes fluctuantes en matière de demande d'engrais. De plus, Africa Fertilizer, en partenariat avec Development Gateway, a lancé un nouveau site web pour faciliter les initiatives de partage de données, permettant des décisions éclairées dans le secteur des engrais. Le financement de 10,15 millions de dollars de NORAD à AFFM vise à soutenir les projets agricoles des petits exploitants au Kenya, au Mozambique et en Ouganda. Madagascar a sollicité des investissements marocains pour renforcer son secteur des engrais, tandis que le Nigeria a approuvé des fonds pour une usine de granulés de calcaire dans l'État d'Ebonyi afin d'assurer un approvisionnement électrique constant dans la région et les communautés avoisinantes.
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    Africa Fertilizer ;Actu Engrais -Juliet 2024
    (2024)
    L'édition de juillet 2024 de FertiNews fournit une mise à jour complète sur le marché africain des engrais, détaillant les informations issues des réunions 2024 du groupe de travail technique sur les engrais (FTWG) d'AfricaFertilizer. Ces réunions, qui incluent des parties prenantes de 18 pays africains, se concentrent sur l'analyse et la validation des statistiques nationales sur les engrais à partir de 2023. Les données collectées sont cruciales pour éclairer les décisions commerciales et politiques. Le rapport met en évidence la collaboration d'AfricaFertilizer avec divers partenaires pour améliorer la disponibilité et la qualité des données sur les engrais, contribuant ainsi à une meilleure planification stratégique et à la sécurité alimentaire. Il fournit également un examen détaillé des tendances du marché national des engrais, des fluctuations de prix et des problèmes d'approvisionnement en Afrique de l'Ouest et de l'Est/australe. Les prix du marché international des engrais et les développements critiques, tels que les nouveaux partenariats et les avancées technologiques, sont également abordés. La newsletter souligne l'importance d'une prise de décision fondée sur les données pour répondre aux besoins agricoles du continent et favoriser le développement durable.
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    AfricaFertilizer; FertiNews-July 2024
    (2024)
    The July 2024 edition of FertiNews provides an extensive update on the African fertilizer market, detailing insights from AfricaFertilizer's 2024 Fertilizer Technical Working Group (FTWG) meetings. These meetings, which include stakeholders from 18 African countries, focus on analyzing and validating national fertilizer statistics from 2023. The data collected is crucial for informing business and policy decisions. The report highlights AfricaFertilizer's collaboration with various partners to enhance the availability and quality of fertilizer data, contributing to better strategic planning and food security. It also provides a detailed review of national fertilizer market trends, price fluctuations, and supply issues in West and East/Southern Africa. International fertilizer market prices and critical developments, such as new partnerships and technological advancements, are also discussed. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making in addressing the continent's agricultural needs and fostering sustainable development.
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    Doubling Farm Income through Fertilizer Deep Placement (FDP) in Tomato Crop in Assam
    (2023-09) IFDC
    The article discusses the success and impact of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in India, with a specific focus on those promoted under the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART). FPOs and FPCs are emerging as crucial tools for the aggregation of small and marginal farmers, enabling them to benefit from economies of scale, reduce production costs, access modern technology, and improve marketing strategies. The article provides insights into the legal structure of FPOs and FPCs, their advantages, and their impact on farmers' incomes. It also highlights the training and capacity-building efforts undertaken to strengthen these farmer collectives. Additionally, it includes data on the status of FPCs in Assam and their progress under the APART project.
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    Enhancing growth through Regional Agricultural Input Systems (EnGRAIS) project for West Africa Newsletter- April-June 2021
    (2021) IFDC
    After more than a year's hiatus due to COVID-19 challenges, EnGRAIS and its partners, including WAFA and AFO, convened for an in-person meeting in June 2021. The meeting aimed to revitalize joint work plans, particularly focusing on private sector development, AIP dissemination, and fertilizer quality control. Key decisions were made to strengthen the regional fertilizer sector, with a focus on smallholder farmers. The newsletter also highlights EnGRAIS's participation in the Africa Fertilizer Conference, progress reviews, and collaborations to address challenges in the West African agricultural sector.
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    Enhancing growth through Regional Agricultural Input Systems (EnGRAIS) project for West Africa Newsletter-July-Sptember 2021
    (2021) IFDC
    This newsletter highlights the efforts of the Feed the Future Enhancing Growth through Regional Agricultural Input Systems (EnGRAIS) project in West Africa. The focus is on the assessment of fertilizer testing capacities in the region, with a particular emphasis on improving the quality of fertilizers. The EnGRAIS program successfully evaluated 43 public and private laboratories across seven West African countries, addressing challenges such as financial constraints and outdated equipment. The assessment aims to enhance the capacity of laboratories, ensuring the use of quality fertilizers to improve agricultural productivity and reduce food insecurity. Additionally, the newsletter covers the launch of the Visualizing Insights on Fertilizers for African Agriculture (VIFAA) Dashboard in Ghana, which provides real-time data on fertilizer prices and statistics. The newsletter also discusses the development of Agricultural Input Packages (AIPs) to boost agricultural output and the annual review of results and planned activities in collaboration with key regional institutions.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter (January-March 2020)
    (2020) IFDC
    The Newsletter provides an overview of the Fertilizer Research & Responsible Implementation (FERARI) program, a collaborative effort by IFDC, OCP, and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). Launched in September 2019, FERARI aims to develop an evidence-based approach to encourage the adoption of balanced fertilizers in sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on Ghana, for sustainable agricultural intensification. The program encompasses on-the-ground activities, research tracks, and multi-stakeholder engagements. The newsletter outlines key activities, achievements, and ongoing research, emphasizing the program's commitment to addressing challenges in the fertilizer sector and contributing to long-lasting impact.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-April 2022
    (2022) IFDC
    The FERARI program is dedicated to enhancing the understanding of farming conditions and outcomes through a comprehensive approach. In 2021, physical yield cuts were conducted on 187 random maize farmers' fields, measuring 4 square meters each, complemented by recall surveys to gather detailed information on production practices. Challenges in the fertilizer industry, such as high urea prices and shortages in Ghana, led to government subsidies for ammonium sulfate as a top-dressing option. Farmers' average maize yield, around 2.7 metric tons per hectare, varied based on factors like region and seed source. Initial results suggest limited impact of top-dressing, including ammonium sulfate, on maize yield, with ongoing data analysis for an upcoming FERARI report. In parallel, FERARI employs machine learning for a Digital Soil Map, forming a consortium involving government bodies and research institutions, showcasing a transdisciplinary approach for nationally accepted soil mapping.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-January 2021
    (2021) IFDC
    The Fertilizer Research and Responsible Implementation (FERARI) program, in collaboration with the University for Development Studies (UDS), has conducted extensive research and implemented initiatives to enhance fertilizer use, crop yields, and agricultural development in Ghana. This report presents key findings from various activities, including the distribution of New Fertilizer Blends (NFBs) under the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program, surveys on NFB users and non-users, the establishment of the Fertilizer Platform Ghana (FPG), and ongoing efforts to optimize the fertilizer value chain. The PFJ program supplied NFBs tailored for cereals, legumes, and cassava during the 2019 planting season. Preliminary survey results indicate challenges faced by farmers, such as difficulty accessing fertilizers, high costs, inadequate information, and tedium in application. Meanwhile, the FPG, established with FERARI's support, has garnered widespread industry and government support. FERARI is actively engaged in supporting the Ghana Fertilizer Expansion Program (GFEP), collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The GFEP strategic plan (2020-2024) focuses on increasing investments in fertilizer production, optimizing the value chain, improving sector development and management, and enhancing public-private investments. The program has conducted extensive on-station and on-farm trials to assess the impact of various nutrients on crop yields and quality. Preliminary analyses reveal the significance of factors like seed and fertilizer type, hired labor, and herbicide use in influencing farm yields. FERARI's demonstration efforts, including farmer field days, aim to promote good agronomic practices and disseminate information effectively. The report also highlights baseline studies on fertilizer use, crop yields, food security, and poverty in specific agroecological zones. The Master's Student Research Internship Program is contributing valuable research, covering topics ranging from the assessment of agricultural development programs to framing and discourse analysis of fertilizer sector issues. In conclusion, FERARI's multifaceted approach, encompassing research, collaboration, and knowledge dissemination, aims to contribute significantly to Ghana's agricultural transformation, with a focus on sustainable fertilizer use and responsible agricultural practices.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-January 2022
    (2022) IFDC
    This study discusses the fertilizer research and implementation efforts of the Fertilizer Research and Responsible Implementation (FERARI) program in Ghana. FERARI conducted farmer-managed fertilizer trials and surveys to understand the impact of fertilizers on crop yield. Findings revealed challenges for the fertilizer industry, government, farmers, and researchers. FERARI addresses these issues through the Fertilizer Platform Ghana, facilitating discussions among stakeholders. The study highlights low nutrient use efficiency and the need for improved economic viability amid rising fertilizer prices. FERARI adopts new analysis methods, including crop and soil modeling, to study climate effects on crop physiology. Spatial analysis of soil properties informs trial site selection. Drones are introduced for precise data collection, aiding precision agriculture. The study addresses the impact of rising fertilizer prices on Ghana's food security and emphasizes the importance of understanding and improving fertilizer use efficiency. Capacity-building efforts include staff training for computerized data collection. The establishment of the Fertilizer Platform Ghana is a key outcome, aiming to address fertilizer sector issues collectively.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-January 2023
    (2023) IFDC
    The Fertilizer Research and Responsible Implementation (FERARI) program successfully organized its initial Coordination Conference in October 2022, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the Fertilizer Platform Ghana (FPG). The FPG, a collaborative effort involving key partners and stakeholders in Ghana's private and public sectors, aims to foster an inclusive and sustainable fertilizer sector in the country and beyond. Stakeholders, comprising more than 80 international and local participants, including governmental bodies, research institutions, and universities, gathered to discuss expectations and suggestions for the platform's role in achieving fertilizer sector sustainability. During the conference, stakeholders emphasized the pivotal role of the FPG in mobilizing private sector support for research and development, fostering evidence-based interventions, and enhancing collaboration between farmers and researchers. With the FPG fully established and led by Co-Chairs, an Executive Committee, and sub-committees, FERARI and stakeholders are eager to witness the platform fulfilling its mandate as an independent, financially and institutionally sustainable fertilizer platform. The conference addressed global fertilizer challenges, discussed mitigation strategies, and provided an opportunity for reflection on FERARI's experimental and survey findings. Participants called for an extension of the FERARI program to achieve greater and sustainable impacts. The study also highlights the role of geospatial expertise in improving data quality through computerized data collection systems, emphasizing FERARI's commitment to delivering evidence-based recommendations.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-July 2020
    (2020) IFDC
    This research focuses on analyzing the various components contributing to fertilizer pricing in Ghana, including financial, transport, handling, and storage costs. The study encompasses major agrological regions and fertilizer trade routes, investigating the entire value chain to identify costs within each stratum. Odionye aims to provide policy recommendations to enhance fertilizer availability, accessibility, and affordability. Additionally, the research examines fertilizer price transmission in seven domestic markets, evaluating the relationship between commercial and subsidized fertilizers to offer empirical evidence for policymaking. Stakeholders' perspectives on the Ghana Fertilizer Platform are highlighted, emphasizing the positive endorsement and anticipated benefits. The newsletter also outlines ongoing field trials, data collection, and analyses conducted by UM6P interns, contributing to the FERARI program's comprehensive approach to fertilizer research and responsible implementation.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-July 2022
    (2022) IFDC
    The FERARI program is actively addressing maize yield variability through innovative approaches. A collaboration with the University of Cape Coast involves training FERARI staff in drone operations to collect farm-level images, aiming to understand and analyze causes for significant maize yield variability. This collaborative effort, endorsed by the university's vice-chancellor, emphasizes student exchange and facilitates modeling and mapping based on gathered imagery. In parallel, master’s-level student interns from the University of Ghana contribute valuable data on socioeconomic aspects, revealing disparities in fertilizer use, challenges in marketing, and the need for improved farmer-market linkages. Additionally, featured research projects highlight advancements in wheat production analysis, identification of drivers for rice and soybean yield response to fertilizer in Ghana, effective crop models for maize yield gap analysis, and agronomic practices for nutrient use efficiency and on-farm productivity enhancement.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-June 2021
    (2021) IFDC
    The FERARI program, in collaboration with the Government of Ghana Fertilizer Expansion Program (GFEP), is actively engaged in socio-economic surveys conducted by master’s-level socioeconomic students from Ghanaian universities and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). The surveys focus on value chain actors in the agriculture sector, encompassing approximately 700 farmers and 400 stakeholders. Key areas of investigation include yield trends of maize, rice, and soybean, farmers' investment and production decisions, and marketing strategies for these crops. FERARI's commitment to establishing the Ghana Fertilizer Platform (GFP) for sustainable development in the fertilizer sector is evidenced by successful interactions with key stakeholders. Ongoing research explores issues such as framing and discourse analysis for effective communication and power relations among sector actors. FERARI also emphasizes social innovation to enhance soil fertility support.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-June 2023
    (2023) IFDC
    This study focuses on the validation of drone imagery analysis through on-the-ground data collection from FERARI field trials. To ensure data accuracy and enhance analysis consistency, FERARI deployed a comprehensive approach involving staff expertise in data collection activities. Akua and Angela were responsible for collecting agronomic parameters manually, while drone specialists Jephthah and Geoffrey integrated drone technology into the process. The drone successfully navigated FERARI trial fields, capturing high-resolution images and data efficiently. The study emphasizes the transformative impact of drone-assisted data collection in agriculture, making it more efficient, data-driven, and sustainable. The integration of drones provides real-time, reliable, and detailed data, facilitating informed decision-making in crop management practices.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-March 2021
    (2021) IFDC
    This abstract outlines the collaboration between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Soil Research Institute (CSIR-SRI) and the Fertilizer Research and Responsible Implementation (FERARI) program in Ghana. CSIR-SRI is developing crop- and soil-specific fertilizer recommendations, with validated blends for crops like maize, rice, and soybean. FERARI supports CSIR-SRI in implementing fertilizer trials in the Forest-Savanna Transitional zone. CSIR-SRI contributes by absorbing a portion of soil and plant tissue analysis costs, while FERARI assists in capacity-building and expertise sharing. The abstract also introduces FERARI's doctoral students and their research themes, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach to enhance the Ghana fertilizer value chain. The collaboration aims to improve crop yield, nutrition, and socioeconomic outcomes through research and implementation.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-March 2024
    (2024)
    In 2024, IFDC marks its 50th anniversary with open-door events. In Ghana, FERARI's team contributed to the success of the open-door event by showcasing what the project has done over the years. The program coordinator, Atakora, starts by introducing FERARI's goals. An interactive discussion on the role of partnerships in soil was led by Adzawla. He insisted on the need to aggressively address soil restoration. FERARI partners also emphasized the need for solidarity to improve fertilizer experimental research design. The newsletter also highlights the FERARI stakeholders workshop. It was a two-day event that was held in Morocco to update stakeholders on the four-year achievement of the project. In the workshop, FERARI's achievements were celebrated, and support was promised for the second phase of the program. Currently, a proposal for the second phase is being developed.
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    FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-October 2020
    (2020) IFDC
    FERARI's commitment to engaging farmers is highlighted through its farmer demonstration days, aiming to reach over 2,000 farmers with 180 on-farm trials of maize, soybean, and rice. The interactions extend to brief surveys systematically capturing farmers' perceptions, enabling future activities to align with farmers' practices. The newsletter also emphasizes FERARI's collaboration with Ghanaian universities to train the next generation of scientists in the fertilizer sector. Additionally, FERARI is actively involved in establishing the Ghana Fertilizer Platform in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, addressing key issues in the fertilizer sector and value chain development. The release of initial research reports and policy briefs contributes to policy decision-making, and FERARI's participation in events like the Annual Pre-Harvest Exhibition strengthens engagement with stakeholders. Ongoing initiatives include soil sampling for chemical and hydro-physical properties, field evaluation of new fertilizer blends, and spatial analyses to identify yield gaps and estimate input needs.