Forum global sur la sécurité alimentaire et la nutrition (Forum FSN)

  1. Given the global scope of the CoCoFe, do you think the objectives are appropriate? If not, how would you add to them or modify them?     Yes the objectives are appropriate.
  2. How should be the CoCoFe be structured to have the maximum positive impact?                       The structure should be guided by code of conduct regionally and sometimes culture practices for appropriate adaptations.
  3. Who would be the best audience for the CoCoFe to meet our objectives and how could we broaden and diversity this audience to increase its influence? Government, Private sector and farmers. These are the most important audiences among other and responsible for the influence and guidance.
  4. 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?   Nutrients management should be applied consistently across all sources, so all should be included. This can be also tested using different soils and crops in adaptation and also can be packaged according to the crop environment.
  5. 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 can assist when done well with proper application with balancing between improved production of the crops and environmental grading allowing eco-system movement. In Africa for example most farmers can’t afford the price of inorganic fertilizers and this leaves them with local options which most cases is not effectively maintained. In my opinion to policy makers, farmers and Government should be trained to understand the use of appropriate fertilizers for their own individual conditions. Understanding the reactions of fertilizers in the soil. Our forefathers used organic fertilizers, and there’s no doubt that the world is moving back to using natural fertilizers or combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers to reduce the chemical imprint on our soils and at the same time improve soils. With the population pressures, land ownership, we can’t now move from one area to another when the soils are exhausted. So now we have to implement techniques to sustain and look after our soil to reduce crop failures, land degradation and desertification.