The African Network for Soil The African Network for Soil Biology and Fertility (AfNet)Biology and Fertility (AfNet)

Saidou KoalaSaidou Koala

CIAT-TSBFCIAT-TSBF

Cali 19 05 09Cali 19 05 09

The yield gap and the limitations that cause it

Potential yield

(Experimentation)

Actual yield

Yield gap

Biophysical limitations- Soil fertility- Water- Variety, etc

Which inputs are lacking?

Socio economic and policy limitations- Knowledge- Credit- Availability

Why inputs are not used?

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Yield Gap…Yield Gap…

Half of yield gap can be closed Half of yield gap can be closed through soil nutrients and improved through soil nutrients and improved agricultural practices, with the other agricultural practices, with the other half being achieved through half being achieved through improved seed and suitable improved seed and suitable development policiesdevelopment policies

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Bridging the Yield Gap Bridging the Yield Gap

Better technologies, Better technologies,

more sustainable practices,more sustainable practices,

improved crop varieties improved crop varieties

and fertilizers to improve and and fertilizers to improve and sustain crop productivity and sustain crop productivity and prevent further degradation of prevent further degradation of agricultural landsagricultural lands

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Bridging the Yield Gap… Bridging the Yield Gap…

TThese technologies have to be tested and adapted to the local socio-economic conditions of the farmers

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AfNet StrategyAfNet Strategy

AfNet strategy is embedded within the Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) paradigm and in line with CIAT new strategy of Eco-Efficient Agriculture for the Poor and is operating within the two programs of ISFM and SLM of CIAT-TSBF

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African Network for Soil Biology African Network for Soil Biology and Fertility (AfNet)and Fertility (AfNet)

Established in 1988

Single most important implementing organ of TSBF institute

Network of scientists working in NARES, IARCs, NGOs, CBOs, and Private sector systems in Africa

Individual membership stands at over 450 members from East, Southern, Central and West Africa

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ISFM & Eco-EfficiencyISFM & Eco-Efficiency

ISFM is the application of soil fertility management practices and the knowledge to adapt these to local conditions, which optimize fertilizer and organic resource use efficiency and crop productivity

Eco-Efficiency attributes are embedded in the definition of ISFM (agronomic input use efficiency, access to markets and food and good nutrition)

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AfNet & Eco-Efficient AgricultureAfNet & Eco-Efficient Agriculture

Through the promotion of ISFM practices, AfNet will contribute to the development of an Eco-Efficient agricultural sector driven by novel technologies, functional multidisciplinary teams responding to end-users demands, constraints and opportunities

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AfNet’s Overall GoalAfNet’s Overall Goal

To strengthen and sustain stakeholder

capacity to generate, share and apply

soil fertility management knowledge and

skills to contribute to the welfare of

farming communities

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Main Focus Areas Main Focus Areas

1. Research and development activities (including synthesis of research results)

2. Capacity strengthening

3. Information dissemination

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Research and Development Research and Development ActivitiesActivities

Network trials implemented in over 100 sitesacross SSA & spread across 3 impact zones

Cover all aspects of ISFM research agenda: Management of mineral and organic inputs Integration of legumes in cropping systems Biological nitrogen fixation Below ground biodiversity Conservation agriculture Soil and water conservation

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1

2

3

4

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5

8

9

10

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1. Mali2. Niger3. Nigeria4. Burkina Faso5. Cote D’Ivoire6. Ghana7. Togo8. Cameroon9. Congo (DR)

Selected AfNet research sites

Koulikoro,Fana, Niono(ICRISAT, IER)

University ofAbidjan-CocodyLamto

Kumasi

Farakou-Ba,Kouare (INERA)

Sadore, BanizoumbouKarabedji, Gaya, Gobery (ICRISAT)

Zaria

Lome

10. Uganda11. Kenya12. Tanzania13. Zambia14. Zimbabwe15. South Africa16. Madagascar

Mlingano,Sokoine university

Egerton university,Nairobi university,KAR-KEFRI-ICRAF

Ndere dance TroupeMakerere universityNARO

University of Zimbabwe

Misamfu Research Centre, Chilanga

University of Kisangani

IRAD, University of Yaounde

15University of WitwatersrandUniversity of Fort Hare

16 FOFIFA

17 Chitedze

More than 100 research sites in AfricaMore than 100 research sites in Africa 1313

The Sahelian DrylandsArea: 1.2 million km2

Population: 38 millionMillet & sorghum belt: 23 million ha

Humid Forest ZoneArea: 5.8 million km2

Population: 168 millionCassava belt: 18 million haNERICA potential: 2 million ha

Moist Savanna and Woodland Zones

Area: 4.4 million km2

Population: 157 millionMaize belt: 32 million haCA potential: 7 million ha

S

N

EW

0 1000 2000

kilometers

Impact zonesImpact zones

Tactics for implementationTactics for implementation 1414

Innovation platformsInnovation platforms

Researchers

Extension

Agro-processor Input / output

marketers

RC/V = Rural Community/Village /village ()

RC/V

RC/V

Farmer group

Farmer association with a facilitating

function

ICT providers

Policy makers Micro-credit institutions

Education

Health providers

Transporters

Water/irrigation

Provides a forum and

mechanism for

articulating stakeholders’ demands

and matching

such demands

with effective

and adequate supply of

technologies and

innovations.Tactics for implementationTactics for implementation 1515

A Soils Platform for SSA

AFNet as a key player and future leader of the CGIAR Soils Platform

OutputsOutputsAfNet will contribute to outputs 1, 2 and 3 of

both ISFM and SLM Programs by:

Providing a platform for evaluating ISFM and SLM practices at benchmark sites

A mechanism for rapid dissemination of innovations and best practices

A platform for enhancing capacity and sharing of experiences among researchers

Building soil health database

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Investment Needs…Investment Needs… Proposal to AGRA 879,000 USD (good

progress)

EU-ACP call 792,800 Euros (pending)

ASARECA 115,422 USD for AfNet (good progress)

EU call 100,000 Euros for AfNet (good progress)

Many proposals in pipeline

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Looking aheadLooking ahead Strengthen networking to engage a wide range of

stakeholders and enhance the efficiency of ISFM and SLM research

Strengthen links between research and extension (using the innovation platform )

Develop strategic partnerships in capacity strengthening that identify and utilize the range of comparative expertise.

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Looking aheadLooking ahead……

Promote programmatic linkages with Universities and other educational institutions to strengthen curricula with appropriate and up-to-date information and teaching materials

Taking a lead role in the establishment of a CGIAR – Stakeholders Soils Platform for SSA

2020

ConclusionConclusionAfNet is creating a framework that is adding value to CIAT –TSBF ISFM and SLM Programs through:

Evaluating new ISFM and SLM practices and methodologies

Fostering interactions between ISFM and SLM Programs and the development communities

Reducing the capacity gaps (in scientific knowledge)

Active role in the establishment of a Soils Platform for SSA

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THANK YOUTHANK YOU

Yield GapYield Gap Research breakthroughs on

agricultural production Huge gap remains between

potential yields versus actual yields Degraded state of its soils and lack

of investment in appropriate inputs and improved soil management practices are main reason

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Location of some selected long-term Location of some selected long-term experiments in Africaexperiments in Africa

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Investment needsInvestment needs

Resources required for the AfNet coordination function and research (long term trials) as well as support to its stakeholders’ field research

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