Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

Fertilizer use is inevitable in the world of today due to high population growth and most of the arable lands are highly degraded in terms of soil fertility (physical, chemical and biological). However, to minimize the side effects of fertilizer use the following should be included in COCOFe

(i) The COCOFe should emphasize on the quality on the carrier materials used by fertilizer manufacturers (most of them are heavy metals which are detrimental for human health)

(ii) The COCOFe should include the application time and method for a specific fertilizer based on their solubility (most peasants especially in developing countries do not know the best way and time of fertilizer application)

(iii) Soil testing is before fertilizer application should be emphasized to minimize overdosing which consequently cause environmental pollution

(iv) Organic fertilizers such as manure, industrial by-products and crop residuals should be integrated with industrial fertilizers to avoid high use of industrial fertilizers.

The correct meaning of the word ‘management’ is ‘use with skill’.  In the case of fertilizer management this is very important; because the major problem with chemical fertilizer usage is ignorant and irresponsible uses and the associated environmental and health issues.  

Illiterate farmers in most of the developing countries consider chemical fertilizers as something ‘magical’ and use the same in enormous quantities without the exact knowledge of the kind of fertilizer required, the quantities need to be applied and the exact time and mode of application.

As a result, the excessive or unwanted chemicals applied leach out to surface water bodies, down to the groundwater resources causing widespread eutrophication and destruction of water resources.

The excess chemicals even remain in the field soil and affect the natural biological process of soil and adversely affect the inherent qualities of soils to support plant growth.

Therefore, the major codes of conduct for management of chemical fertilizers should include:

1.  Strict control of unnecessary and untimely application of chemical fertilizers
2.  Farmers should be able to consult the agricultural officers/specialists and get the prescription for the right kind/amount of fertilizer to be purchased and the time and mode of application as well
3. For a particular kind of crop of a particular cultivated region (or for a specific soil type), the right kind of fertilizers for the specific requirement of the crop alone should be made available in the region
4.  There should be green belt or phytostabilization or Phytoextraction traps around a chemicalized field to prevent leaching out of excess fertilizers into nearby surface water bodies
5.  Farmers should get instructions in native language on all kinds of adverse ecological impacts that may arise from chemical fertilizer applications in soils
6. Farmers should be informed of the kind of heavy metal or other contaminants in a fertilizer and the impact of the continuous usage of such fertilizers

In the case of organic fertilizers as well as biofertilizers also, similar kind of instructions should be provided. In general, majority of illiterate farmers think that the organic fertilizers are totally harmless and they are unaware of the kind of ecological impacts from excessive use of the same.

1. Organic fertilizers also contain inorganic or organic impurities, which the farmers should be informed
2. Farmers are often cheated with regard to the quality of organic fertilizers; therefore, the nutrient (NPK or other nutrient) equivalency of the organic fertilizers should  be  provided
3. When a biofertilizer is given, exact soil and environmental conditions required for their successful activity in soils as well as the biological health of the microbial seeds should be provided
4. Environment or health hazard from the use of a biofertilizer should be properly informed

Food security is very significant for human survival. Environment security is also equally significant. Therefore, the major theme in the ‘code of conduct for fertilizer management’ should be learned applications of the same and strict control of ignorant and irresponsible uses of fertilizers to ensure sustainable management of food security.

Creo que es esencial entender y trasmitir la noción de que el cuidado de la fertilidad del suelo y su fertilización son dos conceptos diferentes. Sólo a través del cuidado y manejo de la fertilidad del suelo directamente relacionado con el mantenimiento e incremento de la materia orgánica en el mismo podremos hablar de manejo sostenible. La materia orgánica del suelo lo hace resiliente ante los escenarios de futuro. Para lograr una productividad sostenible o mejorada es imprescindible entender que el suelo requiere de la incorporación de materia orgánica. La fertilización mineral sólo ha de entenderse de forma complementaria o añadida a lo anterior.

Suggestions:

1. Incentives for sustainable Farm management especially for maintaining diversified cropping systems will definitely help in the long run to ensure soil health. Apart from that imposing taxes for the use of fossil fuels. extension and other agricultural
2. Additional incentives to even agricultural extension service professionals as a boost to enhance responsibility on reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions due to overuse of fertilizers.
3. GPS tracking facilities will help in assuring the timely monitoring and management of emissions and other impacts of overuse of fertilizers.
4. Time to time, Stakeholders should be called for comprehensive action to address the issues of efficient fertilizer applications especially to tap traditional knowledge on the use of locally adapted seeds and livestock varieties and for producing on-farm fertilizers  like compost, manure etc.
5. Scaling up organic agriculture as part of Climate smart Agriculture initiatives as not only National programmes but even at local level.

Different countries could have R&D policies of evaluatiing indigenously available materials which could be incorporated with fertilizers to enhance their use efficiency as well as reduce adverse effects on environment. For eg. research has been done in India on using indigenous materials such as neem (Azadirachta indica) cake, pyrites and natural essential oils and derivatives for enhancing N-use efficiency in a variety of cropping systems and soil conditions. Government of India has taken a poilicy decision to coat all the manufactured urea with neem oil in the country ( Prakasa Rao et al., 2017). The paper is attached.

In India, the quality of fertilizers both chemical and organic (biofertlizers, Compost, Manure etc.) are regulated as per Fertilizer (Control) Order (FCO), 1985 promulgated under section 3 of Essential Commodities Act. The main objectives are to regulate trade, price, quality control and distribution of fertilizers. As per clause 19 of FCO, no person shall himself or by any other person on his behalf manufacture/import for sale, sell, offer for sale, stock or exhibit for sale or distribute any fertilizer, which is not of standard prescribed in FCO. The Content of Fertilizer (Control) Order (FCO), 1985 can be viewed in http://www.faidelhi.org/fertiliser-control-order.htm . Samples of fertilizers are drawn periodically by fertilizer inspectors of State Governments to check their quality as per the parameters prescribed in the FCO. In case of imported fertilizers, the fertilizer inspectors of Central Government draw samples from ships/containers. State Governments are empowered under the FCO to take appropriate administrative and legal action against those not complying with the provisions prescribed in the Order. The distribution of chemical fertilizers from production to end-users are monitored online through Fertilizer Monitoring System under Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.

Contribution de l’UNIFA, Union des Industries de la Fertilisation, France

Qui sommes-nous ?

Un syndicat professionnel de 50 producteurs d’engrais minéraux et organiques, d’amendements minéraux (carbonates de calcium, chaux) et de biostimulants destinés à améliorer la nutrition des plantes et la fertilité des sols. Nous sommes membre fondateur en 1980 de l’association française pour la promotion de la fertilisation raisonnée, le COMIFER (integrated nutrient and soil management) qui comprend tous les acteurs nationaux sur cet enjeu : ministères de l’agriculture et de l’écologie, recherche, enseignement, instituts techniques et agriculteurs.

Nos réponses aux questions posées sur les thèmes figurent ci-après:

Compte tenu de la portée mondiale du CCGE, pensez-vous que les objectifs sont appropriés? Dans le cas contraire, quels éléments supplémentaires ou changements souhaiteriez-vous apporter?

Le code de conduite ne s’adresse pas qu’à la gestion des apports. Il peut être élargi à tous les moyens pris pour améliorer la nutrition et la fertilité des sols. La place des engrais et amendements est irremplaçable mais l’introduction de cultures légumineuses ou de plantes de service (capturant le nitrate ou d’autres éléments nutritifs) avant d’être détruites et réincorporés au sol sont des actions complémentaires. Le code doit couvrir tous les éléments nutritifs indispensables aux plantes et toutes sources organique ou minérale des fertilisants.

Sur les cinq objectifs eux-mêmes : lire la suite....

Given the global scope of the CoCoFe, do you think the objectives are appropriate?   YES

How should be the CoCoFe be structured to have the maximum positive impact?

Who would be the best audience for the CoCoFe to meet our objectives and how could we broaden and diversify this audience to increase its influence? Extension officers, agronomists and other fertilser advisers.  Places where fertiliser is sold

What should the scope of the CoCoFe be? Which nutrient input sources should be included; only synthetic fertilizers, or also manure, biosolids, compost, etc.?  Should other products such as bio-stimulants, nitrification inhibitors, urease inhibitors, etc., be included as well?  All nutrient materials should be included : through Europe we have regulations especially on manure & biosolids due to nitrate leaching : I am not sure whether they have caught up with the explosion in AD digestate.

Will the CoCoFe assist in promoting responsible and judicious use of fertilizers?  Why or why not?  What other suggestions do you have to help the CoCoFe meet our objectives?  It will assist if it is widely disseminated - bout our research in Nigeria suggests there are so few extension workers the message may not reach farmers.  Sellers of fertiliser materials should be required to display notices and hand out leaflets with every sale made.

Tropical soils are most variable and fragile to soil fertilizer ammendments based on my research and consultancies. There is the need to employ and deploy those atht are most vulnerable and seasoned especially at the local levels in adaptation and implementation plans for fertilizer use efficiencies .........

David,

NIHORT, Nigeria.

In developing and under develped countries the cost of chemical fertilizers is very high. But the growers / smallholders are very poor. The growers are not able to buy the chemical fertilizers. As the soil fertility in theses countries is also low because of low organic matter in soil. Therefore, yield is very low which is the main casuse of food security issue in these countries. The UN organizations need to think about the high prices of chemical fertilizers. Better if FAO or other organizations try their best to reduce the higher prices of chemical fertilizers. The govevernments must give the fertilizers to growers on subsidized rates. Otherwise, decline in soil fertility and food security problem will further increase, thanks.