4R Nutrient Stewardship provides a framework to achieve cropping system goals, such as increased production, increased farmer profitability, enhanced environmental protection and improved sustainability.
To achieve those goals, the 4R concept incorporates the:
Right fertilizer source at the
Right rate, at the
Right time and in the
Right place
4R nutrient stewardship requires the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that optimize the efficiency of fertilizer use. The goal of fertilizer BMPs is to match nutrient supply with crop requirements and to minimize nutrient losses from fields. Selection of BMPs varies by location, and those chosen for a given farm are dependent on local soil and climatic conditions, crop, management conditions and other site specific factors.
Its application in Indonesia ( within the local sustainability Programme Cocoa Care ( led by the Community Solutions International organization that is based in Bali)), through adequate training of the Cocoa farming smallholder farmers, BMPs and balanced fertilization, increased both the yield and quality of cocoa, ensuring a sustainable income for smallholder families.
BMPs created improvements within three months. Adding fertilizers produced average yields of over 1 000 kg/ha, more than twice the regional average of 500 kg/ha. Additionally,by teaching farmers 4R Nutrient Stewardship and soil health best practices, the project also helps protect the environment by ensuring minimal nutrient losses, improving soil health, and increasing water and carbon storage.
Problem addressed: Decrease of production of Cocoa in Indonesia (key crop for many Indonesian smallholder farmers) due to ageing trees, pests, diseases, poor soil health and nutrient depletion and lack of access to relevant cocoa farming knowledge and farm inputs, such as fertilizers and finance, for smallholder farmers.
Potential improvement: Training on the best management practises(BMPs) and nutrient management for cocoa, such as soil nutrition, pest management and pruning.
International Fertilizer Association (IFA)
www.fertilizer.org | [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: + 33 1 53930500
Mailing address:
49, avenue d'Iéna
75116
Paris, France
Source: FAO - Agroecology Knowledge Hub
http://www.fao.org/agroecology/database/en/
http://www.fao.org/3/BU711EN/bu711en.pdf
www.fertilizer.org
http://www.nutrientstewardship.org/4rs/