IFDC Report, Volume 1, No. 1
Date
1976-02
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Abstract
This report provides an overview of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and its activities during the year. IFDC, established in 1974, aims to improve fertilizers and fertilizer know-how for developing countries, particularly in tropical and subtropical agriculture, to increase food production. The report highlights the organizational structure of IFDC, including its staff composition and divisional units. It discusses the progress made in establishing temporary offices and laboratories, as well as plans for constructing new buildings on Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) property. Funding for IFDC's operations and facility construction is provided by the United States Agency for International Development (AID) and other potential donors. The report also mentions the contracting of work with various countries and organizations, as well as collaboration with TVA and universities to access specialized expertise. The chairman's report emphasizes the importance of IFDC's role in global food production and its integration with the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The report further focuses on IFDC's phosphate program, which addresses the utilization of low-grade phosphate ores and the development of effective and economical phosphate fertilizers for tropical and subtropical soils. It emphasizes the need for balanced fertilization programs and the exploration of direct applications of pulverized phosphate rock. Additionally, the report highlights IFDC's involvement in studying China's approach to fertilizer development, particularly in rural small-scale industries, and the potential transferability of their technologies to other developing countries. Finally, the report discusses IFDC's training programs, specifically the development of a fertilizer plant maintenance training program and a fertilizer marketing program. These initiatives aim to enhance knowledge and skills in maintaining production systems and improving marketing strategies in the fertilizer industry.
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Fertilizers