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| A Fertilizer Strategy for Zimbabwe |
| A specific objective of this study is to provide an estimate of the amount of fertilizer needed to support the projections of agricultural commodity production for 2020. This study projects the major crop area, yield and fertilizer use to 2020. It also examines the conditions under which farmers, particularly smallholders, may adopt and expand fertilizer use. |
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| A framework for land evaluation |
| Publication Series: FAO Soils bulletin |
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| A new framework for conservation-effective land management and desertification control in Latin America and the Caribbean |
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| A study of the reasons for success or failure of soil conservation projects |
| Publication Series: FAO Soils Bulletin |
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| Agro-ecological Zoning: Guidelines |
| Publication Series: FAO Soils Bulletin |
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| Agro-ecological zoning and GIS applications in Asia with special emphasis on land degradation assessment in drylands (LADA) |
| This document contains the proceedings of the Regional Workshop on Agro-ecological Zoning (AEZ) and Land Resources Information System (LRIS) Applications in Asia with special emphasis on Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands (LADA) ) held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 10 t0 14 November 2003. The workshop was organized by FAO/AGL and the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in collaboration with the Land Development Department (LDD) of Thailand. The workshop reviewed the status of AEZ/LRIS in the Asia region and discussed the contribution of AEZ/LRIS information to improve decision for the rational use, management and conservation and for monitoring the condition of the region's land resources, and in particular the use of AEZ/LRIS tools in the assessment, mapping and monitoring of land degradation in Asian countries. The LADA project is developing - with country participation - a framework for land degradation assessment at global, regional and and national levels. The meeting proposed LADA country projects and the outline for an Asia sub-regional LADA project for capacity building in assessing and combating land degradation using local expertise through Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC). |
| Keywords: land degradation, land degradation assessment, land resources, land resources information system, land evaluation, crop suitability, land use |
| Publication Series: AGL/Misc/38/2005 |
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| Bases de données numériques sur les sols et le terrain au niveau mondial et national (SOTER) |
| Ce manuel décrit les procédures pour la préparation, à partir d'une base de données
numériques à l'échelle globale et nationale, d'unités cartographiques digitalisées
ainsi que des caractéristiques y afférant. Il y est expliqué comment délimiter des
espaces à partir d'un ensemble spécifique de données édaphiques et de terrain, et de
construire la base de données correspondante aux unités cartographiques. SOTER
est une base de données des ressources en terres fournissant des informations
spécifiques sur la physiographie, les composantes du terrain et du sol, avec des
possibilités de données physiques complémentaires telles que l'utilisation des
terres, la végétation naturelle et le climat. La fonction principale du concept SOTER
est de permettre, à l'échelle nationale et globale, le stockage de données aisément
accessibles et d'un format permettant une amélioration dans la cartographie
thématique et le suivi des variations des ressources en terres intéressant les
scientifiques, planificateurs, décideurs et stratèges. |
| Publication Series: World Soil Resources Report 74 |
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| Bolivia - hacia una estrategia de fertilizantes |
| El principal objectivo de este estudio fue el evaluar la posibilidad y el impacto de la eventual reducción o eliminación del impuesto a las importaciones y del IVA a los fertilizantes minerales en Bolivia. Tal medida puede constituir una parte importante de un enfoque general para desarollar una estrategia de fertilizantes que abarque además el desarollo sostenible, la protección del ambiente, la seguridad alimentaria y la competitividad internacional del sector agricola. |
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| Calcareous Soils |
| Publication Series: FAO Soils Bulletin 21 |
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| Changements du climat et production agricole. Effets directs et indirects du changement des processus hydrologiques, pédologiques et physiologiques des végétaux. |
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| Consultancy report on first extension staff training in horticulture. |
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| Crues et apports |
| Publication Series: FAO Land and Water Bulletin |
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| Demand for products of irrigated agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa |
If irrigated production is to make a significant contribution to
food security and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA),
it will have to be re-structured across the region as a whole. This
is the main conclusion of a study undertaken by FAO to analyse
the drivers of demand for irrigated production in SSA. Steeply
rising commercial food import bills for staple crops across SSA are
indicative of the level of demand that is not being met from
domestic production.
The increase in area under equipped/spate irrigation for the
whole of Africa over the last ten years amounts to 1.27 million
ha, which is equal to about 127 000 ha per year. This rate of
growth has proved too low to have an impact on food import
bills and buffer regional food security. However, within
subregional trading groups there is scope for consolidation of
market supply.
Some key conclusions emerge: first, matching the structure of
the irrigated subsector to the structure of demand is essential;
second, it will be necessary to realize the value of the existing
asset base where supply chains, storage and processing can be
concentrated to address specific, well identified markets; third,
prior to new public expenditure or the encouragement of private
investment, the full implications of price impacts must be taken
into account; and, finally, the costs of supplying into specific crop
markets will need to be assessed.
With these provisions in mind and the political and
institutional constraints notwithstanding, irrigated production
opportunities in SSA could be realized where natural resources
and markets coincide, but only through a great deal more
attention to costs of production, price formation, effective water
allocation mechanisms, economically efficient water use and
strong, responsive institutions. |
| Publication Series: Water Reports 31 |
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| Desertification and drought - extent and consequences proposal for a participatory approach to combat desertification |
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| Directrices para Ensayos y Demostraciones de Nutrición Vegetal y Manejo de Suelos a Nivel de Finca |
Uno de los objetivos de la Dirección de Fomento de Tierras y Aguas (AGL) es aliviar los problemas que afrontan muchos países con relación a la baja productividad de los suelos y la insostenibilidad en el uso de la tierra. Dicha entidad persigue este objetivo mediante la promoción, inter alia, del manejo integrado de la nutrición vegetal, el mejoramiento de la fertilidad y un manejo seguro de los suelos, así como la conservación del agua y los suelos. Por tanto, una tarea importante de la dirección es proporcionar directrices para la planificación segura y eficaz del manejo de la tierra, el agua y los recursos nutritivos de las plantas en la agricultura.
Con este fin, esta guía técnica ofrece algunos aspectos para la proyección eficaz de la nutrición vegetal mejorada, la fertilidad y el manejo de los suelos (relacionado con la selección de prácticas
adecuadas de manejo a través de la experimentación a nivel de fincas). La guía proporciona opciones a los investigadores para la selección de los lugares, los tratamientos, su disposición,
diseños experimentales y métodos de análisis. El documento también ofrece metodologías para la interpretación de resultados y el esbozo de conclusiones, así como para la formulación
de recomendaciones basadas en estas últimas. Además, hace énfasis en la importancia de completar todas las fases de experimentación, incluyendo el análisis, las conclusiones y
recomendaciones al final de cada campaña y antes del próximo cultivo. |
| Keywords: experimentación en fincas, diseños experimentales, ensayos, demostraciones, nutrición vegetal, manejo de suelos, análisis de resultados, interpretación de resultados |
| Publication Series: AGL/Misc/26 |
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| Drought impact mitigation and prevention in the Limpopo River Basin - A situation analysis |
| Southern Africa is particularly susceptible to climate
variability and drought and is increasingly being threatened
by desertification processes, degradation of land and water
resources and loss of biodiversity. Although rainfed farming
is a high-risk enterprise, it is also a way of life and people are
committed to making the best of the scarce resources at their
disposal. However, droughts tend to reduce production to
below the already marginal levels, thus threatening
subsistence farming. These conditions occur where the local
economy is least diversified and where almost everyone
depends either directly or indirectly on agriculture.
Frequent exposure to drought causes agricultural production
to be out of equilibrium with the seasonal conditions,
representing an inability on the part of most smallholders to
adjust land use to climate variability. Thus, managing for
drought is about managing for the risks associated with
agriculture; managing for climate variability must become the norm rather than the exception. Farmers must either increase agricultural productivity or develop alternative sources of income if their livelihoods are to be sustained. The situation analysis presented in this paper aims to provide readers with an understanding of the people and their environment in the Limpopo River Basin in southern Africa, covering parts of Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. It examines the biophysical, socio-economic and institutional characteristics of the basin and captures details of past programmes and practices. It concludes with a section on lessons learned and proposes options and strategies for sustainable development, with a focus on drought impact mitigation. |
| Keywords: Limpopo; Southern Africa; river basin; climate variability; drought; sustainable development |
| Publication Series: Land and Water Discussion Paper 4 |
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| Drought-resistant soils - Optimization of soil moisture for sustainable plant production |
Under low and variable rainfall conditions, efficient soil moisture management is a good way for improving water-use efficiency. Recognizing the importance of
soil moisture, an electronic conference was organized to identify, describe, discuss and promote actions that will assist farmers to improve water-use efficiency in rainfed agriculture and drought-proof their system.
The present publication contains an analytic summary of the conference discussions, abstracts of papers submitted during the conference and discussion papers prepared to introduce the different topics. In keeping with the electronic character of the workshop, the full documentation is included on the CD-ROM that accompanies this publication. |
| Keywords: drought resistant, soils, moisture, rainfall, water conservation, soil conservation |
| Publication Series: FAO Land and Water Bulletin 11 |
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| El Futuro de Nuestra Tierra - Enfrentando el Desafío |
En colaboración con el PNUMA, la FAO ha desarrollado un marco mejorado de planificación para el desarrollo y el manejo de los recursos de la tierra que enfrenta los problemas reconocidos durante la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Ambiente y el Desarrollo, en 1992, en Río de Janeiro, Brasil.
Este documento es el último de una serie de tres publicaciones, el cual introduce estos nuevos conceptos y propone un enfoque de planificación integrada para el manejo sostenible de los recursos de la tierra basado en una asociación interactiva entre los gobiernos y la población. Este enfoque está centrado en el concepto de los interesados y sus objetivos y el papel del gobierno en la creación de condiciones dentro de las cuales la población rural pueda usar sus recursos de tierras en forma productiva y sostenible.
Varios ejemplos de diferentes proyectos en distintas partes del mundo ilustran la importancia de los elementos clave en el enfoque para crear un ambiente favorable que haga posible enfrentar las preocupaciones comunes para manejar la tierra en forma sostenible para el beneficio de las presentes y de las futuras generaciones. |
| Credits: A. Kutter, C. L. Neely |
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| FESLM: An international framework for evaluating sustainable land management |
| Publication Series: World Soil Resources Report |
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| Farmer Field Schools Facilitators' Manual - Volume 1 - Integrated Soil, Water and Nutrient Management in Semi-arid Zimbabwe |
| This Farmer Field School Facilitators’ Manual explains some of the basic principles of plant production and land management in the semi-arid zone of southern and western Zimbabwe. It describes the various properties and functions of the soil relevant for cropping and the water and nutrient cycles in the agro-ecosystem. The role and management of mineral and organic fertilizers are described and illustrated. Additional learning modules are dedicated to crop establishment, weed management and soil and water conservation. The manual is intended for extension and research staff involved in field-level farmer education and for farmers trained as FFS facilitators and includes 39 Field Studies to guide practical learning and experimentation at field level. |
| Keywords: Integrated Soil, Water and Nutrient Management (ISWNM), soil life, soil organic matter (SOM), land degradation, pegging, control barriers, manure, soil moisture, soil fertility |
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| Ferticredit - Credit for Small Farmers' Groups and Savings for Development |
| This Field Document No. 11 of the FAO-SNAG Project in Bolivia (Fertisuelos), GCPF/BOL/018/NET, "Soil Management and Plant Nutrition in Farming Systems", explains the reason why is it necessary to fertilize the cultivated soils and the system proposed by the project for generating savings and constituting one's own capital destined for the purchase of mineral fertilizers, necessary for a good harvest. |
| Keywords: Fertilizer |
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| Ferticredit - Credit for Small Farmers' Groups and Savings for Development (Spanish version) |
| Spanish version of the one above |
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| Fertilizer use by crop in Malaysia |
| The development of the agriculture sector and improvement of the living standards of small-scale farmers are priorities of the Government of Malaysia. A higher level of agricultural production requires an increased and/or more effi cient use of inputs, especially fertilizers. Fertilizer purchases by smallholder farmers are subsidized. A better use of available organic wastes, organic farming and integrated farming systems is being promoted. There is a highly competitive distribution sector for fertilizers. Fertilizer use in Malaysia is characterized by a large consumption of directly applied phosphate rock, attributable to the acidic nature of the soils and the large area of perennial plantation crops, and of potassium owing to the large area of oil-palm. Oil-palm is by far the largest fertilizer-consuming crop in Malaysia. In this publication, the quantities of fertilizers used on thirty crops, divided into fi ve groups, are calculated based on recommended fertilizer rates, expected and achieved yields. Information is given on fertilizer prices, crop prices and, as an indication of the profi tability of fertilizer use, the crop price: nutrient price ratios for a selection of fruit and vegetable crops. |
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| Global climate change and agricultural production. Direct and indirect effects of changing hydrological, pedological and plant physiological processes. |
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| Global estimates of gaseous emissions of NH3, NO and N2O from agricultural land |
| Plants take up only 50 percent of the nitrogen fertilizer applied to agricultural land. Part of this inefficiency is a result of emissions of ammonia (NH3 ), nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO). Quantifying these emisions is important, both as part of an attempt to improve fertilizer use efficiency and because of their influence on
ecosystems, atmospheric pollution and the so-called greenhouse effect. This report provides a comprehensive review of the literature about emissions of NH3, N2O and NO, and examines the regulating factors, measurement techniques and models. It draws these data together and generates global emission estimates that can serve as a basis for further addressing the issues of efficiency and environmental impact. |
| Keywords: denitrification, nitrification, soil and crop management, fertilizers, modelling, measurement techniques, animal manure |
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| Guide sur la Gestion et la Conservation des Sols et des Éléments Nutritifs pour les Champs-écoles des Agriculteurs |
Ces directives et matériel de référence visent l’adoption et la mise en application du champécole des agriculteurs pour de meilleures pratiques de Conservation et de Gestion Intégrée des Sols et des Nutriments des plantes (GISN), dans le but de préserver les ressources naturelles (principalement le sol et les nutriments) et d’améliorer la productivité du sol et les revenus agricoles des petits producteurs.
Ce document propose des directives de référence pour la conception et la mise en application de l’approche champ-école des agriculteurs. Il est destiné aux facilitateurs de cette formation, pour produire des programmes et des manuels spécifiques locaux ou nationaux sur la vulgarisation agricole, l’agronomie, la science du sol, la nutrition des plantes, la conservation des sols et d’autres domaines de gestion agricole. |
| Keywords: guide, conservation, champs-écoles, éléments nutritifs |
| Publication Series: AGL/Misc/27/2000 |
| Credits: H. Nabhan, A. Bot, R.N. Roy |
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| Guidelines and Reference Material on Integrated Soil and Nutrient Management and Conservation for Farmer Field Schools |
| These guidelines provide a basic conceptual framework and supporting reference material which it is believed will assist in the development and implementation of effective FFS focused on Integrated Soil and Nutrient Management and Conservation. They are intended for use by FFS facilitators; with an agricultural extension, agronomy, soil science, plant nutrition, soil conservation or land husbandry disciplinary background; for the production of country or local specific manuals and curricula. These should be adapted to the agro-ecological environment, the cropping/farming systems, and the socio-economic conditions and educational level of the farmers in the areas where the FFS are to be implemented. |
| Keywords: integrated soil management, nutrient management, soil conservation, farmer field schools |
| Publication Series: AGL/Misc/27/2000 |
| Credits: H. Nabhan, A. Bot, R.N. Roy |
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| Guidelines for On-farm Plant Nutrition and Soil Management Trials and Demonstrations |
| One of the goals of the Land and Water Development Division (AGL) is to alleviate the problems many countries face of low soil productivity and unsustainable land use. It seeks to achieve this by promoting, inter alia, integrated plant nutrition management, soil fertility enhancement, sound soil management, and soil and water conservation. An important task of the division is, therefore, to provide guidelines for the effective planning and sound management of land, water and plant nutrient resources in agriculture.
To this end, this technical guide presents some aspects of effective planning for improved plant nutrition, soil | |
