The two Millennium Development Goals (MDG) directly related to the objectives of FAO’s work programmes are: eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, and ensure environmental sustainability. Of the ten key recommendations put forward to meet these goals, the following call on interventions in the domain of plant nutrition:

• Spell out investments and policies focusing on rural productivity and environmental sustainability. (While plant nutrients contribute to increased production and productivity, they can also lead to environmental stress)

• Work closely with civil society organizations, the domestic private sector and international partners. (PPPs are key to inducing demand for fertilizers and to improving fertilizer supply)

• A massive replenishment of soil nutrients for smallholder farmers on lands with nutrient depleted soils, through free or subsidized distribution of chemical fertilizers and agro-forestry, by no later than the end of 2006. (Nutrient mining without replenishment constrains production and degrades soils; small holder farmers can often not afford fertilizer)

• A massive training programme of community-based workers to ensure expertise in soil nutrients, water supply and environmental management. (Knowledge of sound plant nutrient management is essential at local level)

Articles - Publications

• Current World Fertilizer Trends and Outlook to 2014
• World Agriculture and Fertilizer Demand, Global Fertilizer Supply and Trade 2008-2009 (as projected by IFA)
• Forecasting Long-term Global Fertilizer Demand
• Ferticredit - Credit for Small Farmers' Groups and Savings for Development
• Fertilizer Specifications
• On-line readable/downloadable documents
• Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletins
• Miscellaneous Reports/Guides/Manuals/Filmstrips