Professor Paul M apfumo Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe and Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa (SOFECSA), CIMMYT- Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe
Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa (SOFECSA) Multiinstitutional, interdisciplinary consortium established in 2005 to: Develop and promote technical and inst it ut ional innovat ions t hat enhance contribut ions of integrated soil fert ilit y management ( ISFM ) research and development to sust ainable food securit y and livelihood opt ions in Sout hern Africa..With a deliberate focus on improving the capacity of individual scientists and national agricultural research and extension (NAREs) institutions to conduct quality research at different levels Hosted by CIMMYT southern Africa, Harare
SSA is the only developing region where poverty is increasing Source: World Bank 2005
Nutrient depletion in sub-saharan Africa (kg ha -1 yr -1 ) N P K Low <10 <1.7 <8.3 Mod. 10-20 1.7-3.5 8.3-16.6 High 20-40 3.5-6.6 16.6-33.2 V. high >40 >6.6 >33.2 Wide yield gaps due to inefficiencies of nutrient use (e.g. Tittonell et al 2008) Smaling et al., 1997
Zambia Agro-ecological (Natural) Region NR I: > 1000 mm (Specialized farming) NR II: 750-1000 mm yr -1 (Intensive farming) NR III: 650-750 mm yr -1 (Semi-intensive Farming) NR IV: 450-650 mm yr -1 (Semi-extensive farming) South Africa NR V: <450 mm yr -1 (Extensive farming)
The poverty is entrenched :» Legacy of colonial architecture smallholders (natives) not designed to participate in economic activities» Environmental marginality Soils and climate» limited livelihood opportunities (any emerging economic opportunity people are chased away mining, irrigation, farming)» Attitude: Loss of dignity and self-respect (e.g. rural as punishment/icon of backwardness)» Lack of recognition of indigenous knowledge
Over 70% of country s population is rural-based 74% of smallholders in NR IV & V Mean Land holding (pre-2000) Large scale commercial = 2200 ha in high potential NR s Smallholder = 2.5 ha in marginal environments Major consequence: land degradation
» Mutually self-reinforcing mechanisms land degradation resulting in increasing poverty and in turn, resulting in increasing land degradation
Maize grain yield (kg/ha) 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 SOM <0.46%
Soil Fertility Index Intermediate Resource-endowed Resource-constrained 0-1 -2-3 -4-5 -6-7 -8-9 -10 HF 5m radius HF 10m radius HF > 10m Outfield 1 Outfield 2 Field Category
Area (ha) Drainage Progressive land clearance Forest Area 1967 1971 1976 1984 1996 2000 5 0 5 Kilometers Changes in land use patterns in Zimbabwe 250 200 N 150 100 50 0 1972 1978 1984 1996 Year Mafungautsi case. (Manyame et al, 2002)
» Failure to attain food-self sufficiency at household, community and national levels» Tailored culture of dependence on aid and relief food sources» Legume are a major source of protein used in small quantities Supplied in aid/relief packages local germplam neglected» Diminishing diversity of food sources» Undermining livestock products & social safety nets
Month January February March April May June July August September October November December Food sources Vegetables, mangoes, cassava leaves Vegetables, pumpkins, cassava leaves Green mealies, early maize, pumpkins Green mealies, early maize, sweet potatoes Maize, sweet potato, small grain cereals, madhumbe Maize, cassava, sorghumcereals, madhumbe Maize, cassava, small grain cereals, madhumbe Maize, cassava, banana, small grain cereals, madhumbe Tree roots, honey, mazhanje, Tree roots, honey Honey, mangoes Honey, mangoes, wild fruits, vegetables
NTFP contributed ~20% of energy intake for wealthier farmers And ~40% of energy intake of poorer farmers Often a source of conflict for communities Mazhanje Hacha Matamba Derere Tsuro Tsubvu Tsenza
Many households live in poverty traps beyond the reach of markets Empty Soils Empty Stomachs Poor Livelihoods poor technology adoption Loss of interest to participate No capacity to invest even in lowinput technologies Poor market access Unfavourable policies Rural Poverty LAND & CONFLICT Poor & declining soil fertility Nutrient leaky systems Low nutrient capital in soils Poor access & availability of nutrient resources Low & inefficient fertilizer use
Learning with communities to adapt to climate change and variability
Best-fits concept - Calls tailoring technologies into locally relevant solutions to complex livelihood problems, taking into account farmer production goals and returns to investment Learning centre is a field-based interactive platform integrating local, conventional and emerging knowledge on superior agricultural innovations requiring promotion or farm-level adaptive testing to address complex problems
Recognises that:» Farming systems in Africa are diverse and heterogeneous» One of emerging challenges of climate change and variability is that effects are particularly localised, requiring local solutions» There are NO one size fit all or silver bullet technologies e.g. all eyes on conservation agriculture?» Need for participatory action research to generate bestfitting innovations - --Indigenous knowledge is key» Ownership on initiatives by locals» Co-Learning YES Traditional demonstrations NO
Maize +manure + PKS Fertilized maize Sunnhemp green manure soyabean Cattle manure Woodland litter + mineral fertilizer
Sequencing 2005-06 season ISFM technology components Woodland litter + mineral N fertilizer Mineral fertilizer Grand mean = 4.2 Mg ha -1 to raise Manure + mineral fertilizer productivity in the short to medium term Fertilized maize Maize after soyabean Maize after sunnhemp Residual manure Maize after sugabeans Grand mean = 7.7 Mg ha -1 SED SED 2006-07 season 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Maize grain yield (Mg ha -1 )
SOFECSA Country team: A Strategic Coalition Operational at National Level Decision makers & Facilitators from partner organizations/ institutions/ associations/ngos: Primarily operational at district level The Implementation/Primary evaluation and Monitoring Level for impacts Farmers, agro-service providers, development partners and researchers, in action IP 0 IP 1 IP 3: Home of the Learning Centre The Technical hub providing dynamic support and expertise to other IP parts and a conduit for feedback IP2: the Think Tank
Employing integrated agricultural research for development (IAR4D) approaches SOFECSA in Zimbabwe Integrated Soil Fertility Management- ISFM- as an entry point Legume-cereal rotations Cereal/legume intercrops Increased mineral fertilizer use Matching farmer resource endowments Combining organic & mineral fertilizers Appropriate crop types & varieties Increasing productivity Fertilizers a must Building Capacity Increasing resilience Building Innovation Platforms Communities Local leaders Service providers Policy makers Introducing The Learning Centre approach Innovating with communities Escaping the maize poverty trap Communicating through drama & song Enhancing capacity of farmers to adapt to climate change & variability Reaching the vulnerable Crop diversification Stimulating development Household food security Increasing availability of farm resources input& & output market opportunities Off-farm livelihood opportunities
Putting ISFM to work according to farmer circumstances Resource endowed (3 >6 t ha -1 ) Intermediate (1.5 >3 t ha -1 ) Resource constrained (<1 >2 t ha -1 )
Maize grain yields (t ha -1 ) 6 5 4 3 2 Yield benefits of collective action: timely access to appropriate types of inputs 1 0 Participating farmers Non-participating farmers
e.g. appropriate planting time in response to rainfall
1. Options for increasing productivity levels and enhancing capacity of farmers to respond to markets 2. Enhancing contractual arrangements and management of marketing platforms 3. Mobilizing communities and service providers for collective action and management of local social safety nets 4. Training of extension and farmers
» Poor and declining soil fertility in is an underlying factor contributing to the land-related socio-political conflicts in Zimbabwe» Transforming agriculture from a subsistence-oriented mode production for a large smallholder sector is a major challenge for sustainable development for Zimbabwe» Agricultural transformation in the smallholder sector essentially entails exiting the maize poverty trap, and is complicated by increasing climate variability and change» Field-based learning centres coupled to hierarchical multistakeholder innovation platforms provide a scope for supporting self mobilization and self-organization of smallholder farmers to achieve food security, manage natural resource and participate meaningfully in markets
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