Sustainable Soil Management Component (SSMC) of OCP Foundation s Agricultural Development Project in Bangladesh Stage 1

Transcription

1 Sustainable Soil Management Component (SSMC) of OCP Foundation s Agricultural Development Project in Bangladesh Stage 1 MONTHLY REPORT NOVEMBER 2017 INTERNATIONAL FERTILIZER DEVELOPMENT CENTER PO BOX 2040 MUSCLE SHOALS, AL USA

2 Table of Contents Introduction...1 Second Steering Committee Meeting of SSMC Project...2 Attendees...2 Welcome Address and Roundtable Introduction...3 IFDC Presentation on SSMC Progress...3 Field Visits by Steering Committee Members...4 Technical Program Activities...5 Field Trials...5 Remarks and Observation...7 Field Demonstrations...8 Farmer Training...10 Other Activities...11 Photographs of SSMC Activities...13 Figures Figure 1. SSMC Project Locations... Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 2. GPS Coordinates SSMC Monthly Report November 2017 ii

3 Acronyms and Abbreviations AVPI BADC BARI BRRI DAE FC GAP GOB ha ICARDA IFDC K kg M&E mt N OFRD P S SAAO SRDI SSMC SPP TSP UAO Zn Accelerating Vegetable Productivity Improvement Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Department of Agricultural Extension Field Coordinator Good Agricultural Practice Government of Bangladesh hectare International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas International Fertilizer Development Center Potassium kilogram Monitoring and Evaluation metric ton Nitrogen On-Farm Research Division Phosphate Sulfur Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Soil Resource Development Institute Sustainable Soil Management Component Supply Plant Product Triple Superphosphate Upazila Agriculture Officer Zinc SSMC Monthly Report November 2017 iii

4 Sustainable Soil Management Component (SSMC) of OCP Foundation s Agricultural Development Project in Bangladesh Stage 1 Monthly Report (November 2017) Introduction The OCP Foundation signed an agreement with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) for implementation of the Sustainable Soil Management Component (SSMC) of OCP Foundation s Agricultural Development Project in Bangladesh Stage 1 for a period of three years, from January 2017 to December SSMC is addressing many of the increasing, serious soil fertility concerns of the northern districts of Bangladesh while also helping farmers enhance crop productivity and profitability through the implementation of improved soil management methods in the overall context of market-sensitive good agricultural practices (GAPs). OCP Foundation s comprehensive project also includes input from OCP Foundation and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The overall objective of this agricultural development project is sustainable management of soil to enhance yields and farmers incomes under resilient production systems in Bangladesh, resulting in food and nutrition security, improved health and livelihoods. The project includes the SSMC in addition to monitoring and capacity building inputs by OCP Foundation and works related to the promotion of GAPs, entrepreneurship, and farmer organizations by ICARDA. The project targets rice, maize, potato, pulses, and, to a lesser extent, wheat. SSMC is being implemented with Government of Bangladesh (GOB) counterparts Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), and Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI). Additionally, agro-input retailers are also involved to promote balanced plant nutrient and GAP solutions for improving crop productivity, crop profitability, and soil fertility. The primary approach of the project for IFDC is to conduct trials with BRRI and BARI and field extension activities with DAE. This monthly report shows the progress achieved in November SSMC Monthly Report November

5 Second Steering Committee Meeting of SSMC Project The Second Steering Committee of SSMC Project of OCP Foundation was held at the IFDC Dhaka office in Bangladesh on November 21, Attendees Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh 1. Mr. Abu Bakr Siddique, Joint Secretary, Agriculture Inputs. 2. Dr. A.S.M. Mahbubur Rahman Khan, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the On-Farm Research Division (OFRD), BARI. 3. Krishibid Kazi Md. Saiful Islam, Additional Director, Agro-Input, DAE. 4. Dr. M. Akkas Ali, Principal Scientific Officer, BARI. 5. Dr. Md. Aminul Islam, Principal Scientific Officer, Soil Science Division, BRRI. 6. Dr. Zainal Abedin, Principal Scientific Officer, SRDI. 7. Dr. Md. Isbat, Manager (Sales), Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). 8. Dr. Md. Shafayet Hossain, Deputy Manager, Supply Plant Product (SPP), BADC. OCP Group 1. Mr. Abdelmonim El Kanit, Senior Manager, Support Agronomique. 2. Mr. Tarik Boudiar, Senior Sales Manager, India and Middle East, Executive Commercial. OCP Foundation 1. Mr. Imadeddine Rouini, Project Manager, International Development Program. IFDC 1. Ms. Ishrat Jahan, Deputy Director, Asia. 2. Dr. Yam Kanta Gaihre, Divisional Scientist, Asia. 3. Dr. Sharukh Ahmed, Senior Agriculture Specialist, SSMC. 4. Mr. Mainul Ahsan, Senior Soil Scientist, SSMC. 5. Mr. Afzal Mahmood Hossain, Project Manager, Accelerating Vegetable Productivity Improvement (AVPI) project, and Senior Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist. SSMC Monthly Report November

6 Welcome Address and Roundtable Introduction Mr. Abu Bakr introduced himself and welcomed all the participants, especially the SSMC project team visiting from Morocco. He extended his thanks to all the participants for their role in successfully implementing the SSMC project for the betterment of the poor farmers of Bangladesh. He reiterated that the Ministry of Agriculture will provide all support to this project for improving the soil health and fertilizer management of Bangladesh. He also highlighted the recommendation of the Honorable Minister of Agriculture to incorporate four additional crops onion, chili, garlic, and Aus rice. He requested that IFDC and OCP Foundation incorporate those crops, with additional funding if needed. After the welcome address, all participants introduced themselves, giving their name, designation, and institution, and explaining their role and commitment to successfully implementing the SSMC project. The Bangladesh team also extended their thanks to IFDC for the invitation to the meeting. The OCP members then extended thanks to the organizers of the meeting. IFDC Presentation on SSMC Progress In accordance with the approved work plan, IFDC SSMC senior national staff made presentations on the progress of work, dividing it into three sections: 1. Mr. Mainul presented on the progress of trials. He elaborated that the two sets of trials were finalized, each with eight treatments, in consultation with the BARI and BRRI scientists. Two trials were established in Aman, and another 13 trial sites were identified. Of the 13 sites, two on-station trials have been established and the remaining 11 will be established during this winter/rabi season. The OCP members questioned the quantity of straight fertilizers used in each treatment. Mr. Mainul replied that the BARC recommended dose was used in all treatments except farmers practice. 2. Responding to a query from OCP representatives, the Bangladeshi scientists explained that there are six compound fertilizers in the approved list of the Bangladesh Government Fertilizer Control Order. IFDC, through policy interactions with the government, motivated private sector manufacturers to mix fertilizers, which the government approved. More than 100 blended fertilizer factories received registration from the government. However, most of those produced fake or adulterated fertilizers, which were monitored through DAE and SRDI, and all factories were closed except two South Bengal in Jessore district and NAFCO in Savar (near Dhaka). Both of these factories mix fertilizers physically, not chemically. The production of NPKS fertilizer had reached 120,000 metric tons (mt), but now it has settled at about 20,000 mt. Adulteration is a major issue related to NPK compound fertilizers. However, since OCP compound fertilizers are processed chemically, the question of quality will not be an issue. SSMC Monthly Report November

7 Dr. Zainal Abedin indicated that the following two government-approved fertilizers are popular among the farmers: Crop N P K S Rice Vegetables Dr. Sharukh presented the progress on farmer trainings and establishment of demonstrations. Of the 60 demonstrations, 10 in Aman and another four in other crops were established. Of the 60 farmer trainings, 15 were completed and another 35 will be completed during this Rabi season. Five field days were also organized. Mr. Imadeddine Rouini suggested that the benefits of OCP mixed fertilizers be included in the farmer training programs. Dr. Sharukh also presented the preliminary results of the nine demonstrations for which crop cuts were completed. The results show that the OCP fertilizer NPSZ, together with straight fertilizers, gave higher yields compared to the other three treatments, including farmers practice, in all the sites. 4. Mr. Afzal discussed the SSMC project s M&E plan, developed by IFDC, to measure the following: a. Number of farmers using improved technology. b. Area under improved technology. c. Incremental yield. d. Gross margin of farmers. All of the above will be measured through crop cuts and by conducting a village monitoring survey. After the presentation, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture concluded the meeting with thanks to all the participants. Field Visits by Steering Committee Members The team traveled to the project areas, particularly Bogra, Natore, and Rajshahi, during November 21-23, They visited and interacted with: (i) researchers from BARI s OFRD at the Bogra Research Station; (ii) trained farmers from Shahjahanpur, Bogra; (iii) established demonstration sites at Shahjahanpur, Bogra, (iv) summer rice (T. Aman) crop cut and field day at Natore; and (v) BRRI Regional Research Station in Rajshahi. The members expressed their great satisfaction with the overall progress of project activities as well as IFDC s efficient and effective management in opening a new technological avenue by linking research, extension, fertilizer retailers, and farmers for sustainable soil management in Bangladesh. SSMC Monthly Report November

8 Technical Program Activities As per the annual Work Plan, major technical activities conducted during the reporting month included the following, which are linked to cropping season and deliverable and aimed at achieving the project goal. Field Trials IFDC s Deputy Director of Asia and senior staff and Field Coordinator (FC) of SSMC and AVPI visited the OFRD Research Station in Bogra. A discussion was held with OFRD scientists about SSMC onstation research activities at the Bogra station on November 6, They also visited the proposed onstation trial sites at the OFRD research station. Senior staff and FC of SSMC visited the BRRI Regional Research Station in Rajshahi. A discussion was held with the Chief Scientific Officer there on November 13, Two on-station Boro trials will be established at the BRRI Research Station in Rajshahiand; two on-farm trials will also be established in different locations. Three OCP Foundation and OCP Group delegates from Morocco, IFDC s Deputy Director of Asia, Focal Points of BRRI, BARI, DAE, SRDI, and BADC, and senior staff and FC of SSMC and AVPI visited OFRD, BARI Regional Research Station, Bogra, on November 22, Chief Scientific Officer, OFRD, BARI, Gazipur, briefed the visiting team about OFRD activities. The team members visited two potato and wheat on-station field trial plots established at the Bogra Research Station. The Chief Scientific Officer of the OFRD Research Station, Bogra, also delivered a brief presentation on SSMC research activities. OFRD scientists detailed the field trial program conducted at trial sites. The Steering Committee Members, BADC representatives, senior staff of SSMC and AVPI, and FC of SSMC visited the BRRI Regional Research Station in Rajshahi on November 23, The Research Station s Chief Scientific Officer summarized BRRI activities as well as characteristics of modern rice varieties developed by BRRI. Also, scientists discussed on-station trial activities. Two balanced fertilizer and macro- and micronutrient omission-related trial plots will be established in the coming Boro season at the BRRI Research Station in Shyampur, Rajshahi. In each trial, eight treatments and three replications will be followed. Two on-station field trials on potato and wheat were established at OFRD, BARI Research Station, Bogra, on November 19 and 20, Two on-station field trials on maize and lentil were established at OFRD, BARI Research Station, Rangpur, on November 16 and 20, SSMC Monthly Report November

9 Seven on-farm field trials on potato, maize, and lentil were established at Ulipur of Kurigram, Domar of Nilphamari, Sadar of Dinajpur, and Amnura of Chapai Noawabganj during November 16-30, Detailed information on the 11 established on-station and on-farm field trials is given below. Sl. # Location Name of the Crop Category of Trial Number of Established Trials Date of Sowing 1. OFRD, BARI Research Station, Bogra Potato On-station 1 November 19, OFRD, BARI Research Station, Bogra Wheat On-station 1 November 20, OFRD, BARI Research Station, Rangpur Lentil On-station 1 November 16, OFRD, BARI Research Station, Rangpur Maize On-station 1 November 20, Ulipur, Kurigram Lentil On-farm 2 November 16, Domar, Nilphamari Maize On-farm 1 November 30, Domar, Nilphamari Potato On-farm 1 November 30, Sadar, Dinajpur Potato On-farm 1 November 22, Sadar, Dinajpur Maize On-farm 1 November 23, Amnura, Chapai Noawabganj Wheat On-farm 1 November 23, 2017 Total 11 T. Aman crops from two on-farm field trials plots were harvested by BRRI scientists with the help of concerned trial farmers on November 14 and 27, Detailed information on crop yield by treatment with observations is listed below. SSMC Monthly Report November

10 Yield of BRRI Dhan49 Under Different Fertilizer Management Packages, Pirganj, Rangpur, T. Aman, 2017 Treatment Grain Yield (mt/ha) T1 = a AEZ based NPKSZn 5.02 T2 = NPKSZn + vermicompost 0.5 t/ha 5.06 T3 = NPKSZn + cow dung 0.5 t/ha 4.86 T4 = b OCP 1 + straight fertilizer 5.20 T5 = c OCP 2 + straight fertilizer 5.25 T6 = T4 + vermicompost 0.5 t/ha 5.13 T7 = T5 + cow dung 0.5 t/ha 4.97 T8 = d Farmers fertilizer dose 4.86 CV 3.30 a kg/ha. b. OCP compound fertilizer (P 2O 5 = 45%). c. OCP compound fertilizer (N = 12%, P 2O 5 = 45%, S = 5%, Zn = 1%). d kg/ha. Effect of Liming and Omission of Macro- and Micronutrients on Grain Yield of Aman Rice (BRRI Dhan52), Farmers Field, Kurigram, 2017 Treatments Grain Yield (mt/ha) T1 = NPKSZn (-lime) 4.89 ab T2 = NPKSZn (+lime) 5.18 a T3 = OCP compound fertilizer (N-P2O5-S-Zn [ ]) + straight fertilizer 4.26 bc T4 = PKSZn (-N) 4.21 c T5 = NKSZn (-P) 4.16 c T6 = NPSZn (-K) 4.47 bc T7 = NPKZn (-S) 4.35 bc T8 = NPKS (-Zn) 4.79 abc CV (%) 4.97 Remarks and Observations Balanced Fertilizer Trial at Pirganj Some trial plots at the Pirganj site experienced lodging due to a storm at ripening stage. Cow dung and vermicompost application rates should be increased. Grain yields of BRRI dhan49 under different fertilizer packages were almost similar. Comparatively, some higher grain yields were produced when OCP compound fertilizers were used with straight fertilizer. Use of OCP compound fertilizer instead of triple superphosphate (TSP) reduced the use of urea by 12 kg/ha, gypsum by 5 kg/ha, and zinc sulfate by 1 kg/ha in the T. Aman season. However, this formulation is not farmer friendly until there is a need to apply straight fertilizer. SSMC Monthly Report November

11 Macro- and Micronutrient Omission Trial at Kurigram The Kurigram trial site was submerged with floodwater for about two weeks beginning December 8, Rice plants recovered after submergence, but this trial became infected by bacterial leaf blight disease. Necessary measures were taken to treat the disease, but grain spot disease was observed again at ripening stage. Grain yields of the recommended dose with and without lime (T1 and T2) are statistically identical. OCP compound fertilizer + straight fertilizer (T3) produced 4.26 mt/ha grain, statistically identical to the grain yield of 4.89 mt/ha recorded in the recommended dose when no lime was added (T1). The recommended fertilizer dose with liming produced the highest grain yield (5.18 mt/ha), which was significantly higher than the yield from OCP compound fertilizer + straight fertilizer treatment. Omission of N (T4) and P (T5) from the recommended fertilizer dose without liming significantly reduced the grain yield, while omission of K (T6), S (T7), and Zn (T8) had no significant effect on grain yield. It is notable that omission of all nutrients except zinc from the recommended dose with lime significantly reduced the grain yield of BRRI dhan52. It can be concluded that liming may have some effect on nutrient availability for wetland rice, but this will be determined after a dry season trial. Field Demonstrations IFDC s Deputy Director of Asia and SSMC senior staff and FC monitored all of the T. Aman demonstration plots in this reporting month. Senior staff and FC of SSMC also monitored all of the T. Aman demonstration plots throughout the month. Overall crop conditions were good. Crops in some demonstration plots were slightly affected by rat infestation. Crops in flood-affected demonstration plots recovered considerably. Ten crop cuts from T. Aman demonstration plots have been completed in 10 upazilas in six districts during November 7-23, SSMC senior staff and FCs, DAE officials, and concerned demonstration farmers attended all the crop cuts and field day programs. From all 10 crop cut findings, it was observed that lime-treated OCP compound fertilizer and recommended fertilizer treatment plots performed best among the four fertilizer treatments. The effect of lime treatment in acidic soils was noticed in almost all the sites. yield data is given below by site. SSMC Monthly Report November

12 Sl. No. Location Variety T1 Farmers Practice T2 Recommended Fertilizer Dose Without Lime T3 Recommended Fertilizer Dose With Lime T4 OCP Compound + Straight Fertilizer With Lime (mt/ha at 14% moisture level) 1. Sadar, Nilphamari BRRI dhan Saidpur, Nilphamari BRRI dhan Sadar, Kurigram BRRI dhan Chirirbandar, Dinajpur BRRI dhan Sadar, Dinajpur BRRI dhan Gomostapur, Chapai 6. Noawabganj BRRI dhan Nachole, Chapai 7. Noawabganj BRRI dhan Nageswari, Kurigram BRRI dhan Shahjahanpur, Bogra BRRI dhan Sadar, Natore BRRI dhan After crop cuts from T. Aman demonstration plots, five field days were organized by IFDC SSMC and DAE at Nilphamari Sadar, Chirirbandar, Kurigram Sadar, Gomostapur, and Natore Sadar upazilas. About 100 male and female trained and non-trained farmers attended each of the field days. Senior staff and FCs of SSMC, DAE officials, and local public representatives were present at each. The following participants attended the crop cut and field day at Natore Sadar on November 23, 2017: OCP Foundation and OCP Group delegates from Morocco; IFDC s Deputy Director of Asia; Focal Points from BARI, BRRI, DAE, SRDI, and BADC; the Union Parishad Chairman; Deputy Directors/District Training Officer, DAE; Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO)/Adl; UAO, DAE; senior staff and FC of SSMC and AVPI; Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAOs), DAE; and local farmers. A total of 106 farmers (79 men and 27 women) attended these field days. A demonstration farmer shared his experiences with the participants. In the field days at Natore Sadar, one of the scientists explained that, in the farmers practice plot crop, the yield was found to be very close to the recommended fertilizer treatment plot, but the cost of fertilizer for the farmers practice plot was much higher than that of the recommended fertilizer plot. This means that farmers used more fertilizer than the recommended treatment. All of the farmers showed interest in the OCP compound fertilizer, provided it retains good quality and availability. Concerned demonstration farmers expressed opinions about SSMC demonstration plots and crop performance. Reporters from local newspapers and electronic media attended the field day program at Natore. SSMC Monthly Report November

13 In this reporting month, 10 SSMC potato, maize, lentil, and wheat demonstration plots were established at Gabtali and Shahjahanpur of Bogra, Sadar of Dinajpur, Sadar of Nilphamari, Nachole and Gomostapur of Chapai Noawabganj districts. Layout, fertilization, and seed sowing were properly completed. In the Nachole demonstration, the farmer used a bed planter provided by DAE for sowing wheat seed. The concerned SAAO of DAE and the SSMC FC actively participated in all activities. Detailed information on established demonstration plots is provided below. Sl. Crop Upazila District No. Name Variety Target Achievement Date of Sowing 1. Gabtoli Bogra Potato Asterix 1 1 Nov. 11, Gabtoli Bogra Potato Asterix 1 1 Nov. 12, Shahjahanpur Bogra Maize Hybrid 1 1 Nov. 13, Gabtoli Bogra Maize Hybrid 1 1 Nov. 14, Shahjahanpur Bogra Potato Asterix 1 1 Nov , Nachole Chapai Noawabganj Wheat BARI Gom Nov. 28, Sadar Dinajpur Potato Asterix 1 1 Nov. 29, Sadar Nilphamari Potato Asterix 1 1 Nov. 30, Gomostapur Chapai Noawabganj Lentil BARI Lentil Nov. 30, Gomostapur Chapai Noawabganj Wheat BARI Gom Nov. 30, Total Farmer Training In this reporting month, 15 farmer training programs were conducted with 449 participants. T. Aman, lentil, wheat, potato, and maize farmers attended the programs during November 6-23, The training programs were conducted at Dinajpur Sadar and Chirirbandar of Dinajpur, Kurigram Sadar and Nageswari of Kurigram, Sadar and Saidpur of Nilphamari, Gabtali and Shahjahanpur of Bogra, Natore Sadar of Natore, and Nachole and Gomostapur of Chapai Noawabganj districts. Of the 449 trained farmers, 57 (13%) were women. Of the 449 trained farmers, 302 were progressive T. Aman, potato, wheat, maize, and lentil farmers. 1 Fifteen demonstration farmers who were selected earlier also attended the training programs. In addition, 75 agro-input retailers were also present. Modules during the training programs included PowerPoint and oral presentations, group discussions in a participatory approach, and practical demonstrations on identification techniques of adulterated micronutrient fertilizers. Senior staff and FCs of SSMC; Deputy Director, DAE; and UAOs and SAAOs, DAE, attended the programs as 1 Progressive farmers are those who are willing to use the good farm practices (GAPs such as good quality seed, balanced doses of fertilizers, proper spacing from line to line and plant to plant, integrated pest management [IPM] practices with improved technologies, etc.), establish their own demonstration plots, share their knowledge, and encourage their neighboring farmers for using GAP along with improved technologies. SSMC Monthly Report November

14 resource people. Detailed information on the number of farmers attending the training programs is provided below. Participants Sl. Training Venue Fertilizer Demo No. Male Female Total Retailers Farmers 1. Upazila Conference room, Saidpur, Nilphamari Training Hall, DAE, Saidpur, Nilphamari Chilapara, Sadar, Kurigram Training Hall, DAE, Gabtoli, Bogra Fotejangpur College, Chirirbandar, Dinajpur Training Hall, DAE, Nageswari, Kurigram Farmer s residence, Natore Sadar, Natore Farmer s residence, Natore Sadar, Natore Upazila Parishad Hall, Chirirbandar, Dinajpur Union Parishad Hall, Rohonpur, Gomostapur, Chapai Noawabganj Upazila Parishad Hall, Gomostapur, Chapai Noawabganj Itakhola, Sadar, Nilphamari Training Hall, DAE, Nageswari, Kurigram Upazila Parishad Hall, Shahjahanpur, Bogra Bara Harishpur, Sadar, Natore Total Other Activities IFDC s Deputy Director of Asia and Senior M&E Specialist monitored T. Aman demonstration plots at Bogra, Natore, and Chapai Noawabganj districts and held discussions with demonstration farmers and DAE officials during November 6-7, FCs of SSMC collected GPS coordinates of all the field days, farmer training venues, and non-rice demonstration plot sites from all the selected upazilas. Lime (dolomite) was used by 15 wheat, maize, lentil, and potato demonstration farmers in selected upazilas after harvesting the T. Aman crop. SSMC Monthly Report November

15 Figure 1. GPS Coordinates SSMC Monthly Report November

16 Photographs of SSMC Activities Second Steering Committee Meeting of the SSMC project at the IFDC Bangladesh office Presentation of project activities in the Steering Committee Meeting at the IFDC Bangladesh office Steering Committee members visiting on-station trial plots at OFRD, BARI Research Station, Bogra Steering Committee Members attending a farmer training program at Shahjahanpur DAE Deputy Director Nilphamari attending SSMC farmer training program at Saidpur SSMC Monthly Report November

17 Photographs of SSMC Activities OCP Foundation delegate inaugurating crop cut of a demonstration plot at Natore Crop cut from T. Aman demonstration plot at Nachole Steering Committee Members attending a field day program at Natore Field day program after crop cut from T. Aman demonstration plot at Nilphamari Steering Committee Members, DAE officials, and SSMC senior staff monitoring non-rice demonstration plots and discussing with demonstration farmers at Shahjahanpur of Bogra SSMC Monthly Report November