Fertilizers & Agriculture, November 2013 by International Fertilizer Industry Association

November 2013

fertilizers www.fertilizer.org

agriculture Other crops

The world's Vegetables 9.3 need for potasFruits 5.8 sium fertilizers 3.0 remains strongRoots/Tubers 4.2 Sugar crops

Convergences and reality checks

11.7

Wheat 15.8

14.3

Fertilizer use by crop at the Rice global level

4.1

16.1 5.2 2 3.9 4.6 Maize Other oilseeds Oil palm Other cereals Soybean

Fibre crops

Determining future priorities for the fertilizer industry Figure 1: Contribution of different crops to global fertilizer consumption

by Esin Mete, IFA President

uring the latest IFA Annual Conference in Chicago, I had the honour of being elected IFA’s President. At the beginning of my mandate I believe it is important to offer a clear indication to IFA members and stakeholders of the priorities that will guide my actions and decisions for the next two years. In view of the attention currently being given to agriculture, food security and nutrition internationally, the fertilizer industry is in a unique position to demonstrate its global role. To do so, we must act strategically and provide clear direction to our 560 members.

Sustainable intensification My first priority area is sustainable intensification. As demand for food increases, so does competition for land, water and energy. In order to achieve food security worldwide and reduce the environmental footprint of the agricultural sector, we need to make better use of arable land. We must produce more crops and nutritious food from the same acreage with efficient allocation of natural resources, thus increasing agricultural productivity sustainably.

Product and nutrient stewardship My second priority is to address the fertilizer lifecycle and, in particular, the environmental impact of fertilizer production and use. IFA and IPNI were at the origin of the 4R nutrient stewardship framework. This framework conveys to farmers, policy-makers and

all other stakeholders the principle of using the right fertilizer sources at the right rate, right time and right place so as to achieve economic, social and environmental goals. Moreover, IFA has developed a product stewardship initiative that promotes responsible Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) management throughout the product’s lifecycle. Woman farmer working in the field, Turkey.

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Reforming fertilizer subsidies in Nigeria IFA Director General Charlotte Hebebrand had the opportunity to get Akin Adesina's, Minister of Agriculture, views on the important fertilizer subsidy reforms undertaken in Nigeria. IFA: You have undertaken a very impressive set of reforms in order to stimulate greater agricultural production in Nigeria, a country well suited for agriculture although that potential has not been pursued in recent decades. Could you explain how fertilizers fit into these reforms? Forty years is the average life expectancy in rural areas, but in that period millions of farmers never see or get subsidized fertilizers supposedly meant for them. Despite the billions of Nigerian Naira spent over four decades, no more than 11 percent of smallholder farmers received subsidized fertilizers from the government. The corruption in the system was massive due to direct government procurement and distribution of fertilizers. Subsidized fertilizers were sold off on the open market and exported into neighbouring countries. Farm productivity continued to decline, food security worsened, and the incomes of farmers declined, despite massive increases in fertilizer subsidies for decades. cont’d on page 2

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Reforming fertilizer subsidies in Nigeria Within the first 90 days of my becoming Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, we succeeded in ending four decades of corruption. With strong support from the President, we embarked on a massive overhaul of the national fertilizer and seed supply system – the boldest ever done in the nation’s history. Direct procurement and distribution of fertilizers and seeds were eliminated. All fertilizer and seed companies now sell directly to farmers, not to the government.

IFA: What are the key lessons from the fertilizer reforms that Nigeria has carried out so far, and how do you see them unfolding further?

We did the same clean-up in the seed system. Direct government procurement of seeds had led to entrenched corruption and rent seeking, as government officials gave away contracts to cronies who supplied grains instead of high-quality seeds to farmers. The system in which government monopolized the supply of foundation seed was scrapped. Today, all foundation seed supply – the lifeline of a viable seed industry – is fully liberalized and handed over to the private sector. With those reforms has come major investment in that sector. The number of seed companies has grown from 11 at the start of the administration to 70. Global seed companies such as Syngenta and DuPont have decided to invest in the Nigerian seed sector, with Syngenta deciding to open a representative office in the country for the first time. Private sector fertilizer investors are cashing in. Notore and Mitsubishi Corporation are expanding Notore’s plant with an investment of US$ 1.3 billion. New investors such as Dangote plan to put up the largest urea plant in Africa at US$ 3.5 billion, and Indorama is investing US$ 1.2 billion in a new fertilizer plant. This has to be done all across Sub-Saharan Africa. All it takes is political will. Agricultural policies first and foremost have to benefit farmers. That must be the litmus test for effective policies to stimulate agricultural productivity, generate better livelihoods for smallholder farmers, and address food security.

Women selling in local market

IFA: While you were at the Rockefeller Foundation, you played a key role in the 2006 Fertilizer Summit held in the Nigerian city of Abuja, which highlighted the dire need to increase fertilizer use in Sub-Saharan Africa and concluded with far-reaching recommendations from the highest levels of African governments. While some progress has been made, there is still much that needs to change. What are the key actions that governments and private industry need to take? Governments should provide the enabling environment, through its policies, research and extension services, to allow the private sector to do what it does best – run competitive businesses. We must focus on how to support farmers so that they have expanded access to productivity-enhancing technologies and inputs, adapt to climate change, improve natural resource management, expand market access, and acquire the skills needed to make farming a business. In Nigeria, we are now executing a “government-enabled, private sector-driven” transformation agenda which ensures that agriculture is being treated as a straight-line business, not a development project. Indeed, the government recognizes that there are financial returns to be made in the sector, while at the same time creating jobs and economic sustainability. Together, we must empower both farmers and agro-input dealers.

IFA: Whereas fertilizer use in Sub-Saharan Africa is low compared to that in developed and emerging economies, IFA has signalled that it is actually one of the areas where fertilizer consumption is growing at the fastest rate. IFA has made Sub-Saharan Africa a priority in our statistics and advocacy programme. What are your suggestions for how an international fertilizer industry association can best promote increased and efficient fertilizer use to enable all of Sub-Saharan Africa to live up to its tremendous agricultural potential? Improved seeds have been described as the engine of any agricultural revolution and fertilizer as the fuel. Access by farmers to these modern agricultural inputs is therefore the backbone of agriculture transformation in Africa and of ending hunger and poverty. IFA has an important role to play in representing the industry as a responsible and important player in addressing global food security.

Distribution of fertilizers

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Determining future priorities for the fertilizer industry

Outreach to farmers Another aspect of sustainable development is empowering smallholders worldwide, especially women and youth, to become professional and commercial farmers. At a time when most governments can no longer bear the cost of expensive public extension programmes, advisory services, training, and sharing of best practices can only be carried out by means of public-private partnerships. IFA is one of the founding organizations of Farming First, a coalition of agricultural organizations that aims to make the voice of farmers heard in international policy-making regarding agriculture, food security and nutrition. In this context, IFA works closely with the World Farmers’ Organization. However, outreach to farmers cannot take place at the international level. It is up to IFA members, both companies and associations, to implement such programmes at the local, regional and national levels in their home countries.

Nutrition A fourth important point for me is the role of fertilizers in providing solutions to malnutrition and stunting. Millions of people in the world (mostly children and women) suffer from micronutrient deficiencies that have irreversible impacts on their health and on the economic development of their countries. Micronutrient fertilization is one of the techniques which demonstrate that nutrition-sensitive agriculture is the key to improving nutrition worldwide. I have first hand knowledge of this issue since my company, Toros Agro-Industry Group, was the first fertilizer company

in Turkey involved in the development of zinc-enhanced blends of NPK. We have now eradicated zinc deficiencies in Turkey. I would like to use my experience to encourage all nutrient deficient countries to adopt this simple, affordable and sustainable solution to malnutrition. Concrete examples from other countries also show the positive impacts micronutrients have on human health. A review of these findings was published by IFA and IPNI in late 2012 in Fertilizing Crops to Improve Human Health. IFA will pursue its communications and outreach campaign to share the results of this review widely through the use of compelling visuals and side events to target policy-makers. (See page 12)

Member engagement Finally, IFA and its members are in the midst of re-thinking the Association’s role and strategy. In this context I plan to strengthen IFA’s image as the only organization that represents the fertilizer industry globally by encouraging IFA members to be more active in the Association. IFA is unique in its diversity and broad coverage. All actors along the supply chain are part of our membership – from the production, trade, transport and distribution of all types of fertilizers, their raw materials and intermediates, to national associations, engineering companies, consulting firms and research institutes. IFA’s scope extends from business networking during our conferences to statistics and data gathering; from international engagement to benchmarking and sharing of best practices. There is much to learn from each other, and IFA constitutes a solid platform for such exchanges. Speaking from personal experience, I can say that the many positions in which I have served at IFA have expanded my vision of our industry. The knowledge I have gained has helped me to implement many new ideas in my own company and country. 1

www.protectandsustain.org

is CEO of Tekfen Holding’s AgriDivision and Chairwoman of Toros Agri-Industry Group. She was elected President of the International Fertilizer Industry Association during IFA’s Annual Conference in Chicago. Ms. Mete succeeded William J. Doyle, President and CEO of Potash Corp. Ms. Mete was awarded “Most Successful Woman” in her sector for 2000 and 2003. She ranked 23rd in the survey of CAPITAL magazine’s “Most Powerful Women in Turkey” and as a contributor in the “Zinc Project” she has been found worthy of receiving the award for “Service to Humanity and to Turkey”. In 2011, she was bestowed the Order of Ouissam Alaouite by the King of Morocco for her perennial close cooperation and contributions to the development of the country. Read also: Fortifying fertilizers can fortify food "Why add nutrients to food all the time? Why not add them to the soil itself?" www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/blog/index. php/2013/10/fortifying-fertilizerscan-fortify-food/ IFA Press Release www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/ MEDIA/Press-releases-2013/22May-2013

Companies that obtain the IFA Protect & Sustain certification benefit from safer working conditions, better environmental protection, safer communities and improved reputations, while avoiding incidents such as the West Fertilizer Company explosion in Texas. As IFA President, I will encourage IFA members around the world to join Protect & Sustain1 and to replicate successful product and nutrient stewardship programmes.

Esin Mete

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2013 Production and international Trade Conference, Kiev, uKRAINE

Convergences and reality checks by Michel Prud'homme, IFA

n 7-9 October, around 100 delegates from some 50 countries attended the 34th IFA Production and International Trade Conference in Kiev, Ukraine. They heard key experts discuss topics related to fertilizer markets, natural gas supply, global fertilizer capacity, and trade. Two main themes emerged: convergence and reality checks.

The first group of speakers, all from Ukraine, highlighted the strong convergence of future supply and prospective demand in the country’s domestic market. According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, fertilizer demand is projected to nearly double over the next ten years to reach 3 million metric tonnes (Mt) nutrients in policy framework, there would be a 2022. This growth will be driven by an convergence of interest between Euincrease in cultivated area, combined rope and Ukraine regarding the estabwith a sizeable improvement in fertilizlishment of a pan-European natural gas er application rates from 62 to 95 kg/ha. single market, with stronger leverage Ostchem, Ukraine’s main fertilizer profor consumers in future. ducer, plans to double its UAN capacity, Convergence in fertilizer market dynamexpand its CAN capacity, and start NPK ics was seen at the global level. FRC-CRU production during this period. Group (United Kingdom) has projected Convergence in the natural gas market that more than 9 Mt of incremental sulis seen in Europe and other parts of the phur supply would soon be available for world. Europe’s natural gas market has export to international been shifting from oil markets, notably from indexation towards According to the Migas-to-gas competi- nistry of Agrarian Policy and Abu Dhabi. Green Markets (United States) pointtion. This trend will be Food of Ukraine, fertilizer ed to a growing global supported by increas- demand is projected phosphate market that ing LNG import capac- to nearly double over the will remain adequately ity and potential shale next ten years to reach supplied in future, with gas development in a 3 Mt nutrients in 2022.  new capacity in Saudi few large natural gas Arabia and Morocco. consuming countries in Europe. Nexant Ltd (United Kingdom) reported At the global level, RWE Supply & Tradthat there would be ample urea supply ing (Germany) reported that the combiin the near future, with new sources nation of growth in natural gas supply emerging in Africa and the Middle East and a shift in export flows would press while strong potential growth in import natural gas prices in Japan and the Unitdemand was seen in Asia Pacific. JSC Beed States to converge in future towards laruskali (Belarus) highlighted its major European prices, which will show both expansion projects: increasing its potash maturity and resilient volatility. production capacity by up to 3 Mt by the Fertilizers Europe, based in Brussels, next decade, and entering the NPK comdemonstrated that, with an adequate

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Convergence

pound markets with plans to construct up to four units, each with a capacity of 240 Kt. Convergence of fertilizer distribution modes was seen in China. A recent study by the China Agricultural University shows a shift in the Chinese marketing system from a traditional producertown level, retailer-small farmer model to a diversity of models linking fertilizer producers to farmer cooperatives, along with the expansion of wholesale bulk blending facilities across China. Convergence of interest between service providers and suppliers was demonstrated by Euroports (Belgium), with its extensive expertise in managing all logistical aspects of handling bulk commodities using a one-window concept at its terminals. Rabobank International (The Netherlands) emphasized current economic opportunities and a convergence of interest between junior potash mining projects and large-scale importing entities for securing supply, with a dual objective of reducing reliance on imports and gaining possible additional leverage in contract negotiation.

Reality checks NPK Fertilizer Advisory Services (United States) described the reality of shale gas development in the United States and the likelihood of very marginal returns on investment for most of the 25-30 possible nitrogen projects announced across North America. With only a handful of projects at most likely to be completed in the near term, the United States would reduce its import reliance on ammonia, urea and UAN while remaining a net importer of ammonia and urea. The United States would not become a net nitrogen exporter. The ERCOSPLAN Group of Companies (Germany) provided a reality check on the perceived advantages of potash solution mining compared with conventional underground mining. Solution mining could have inherent advantages cont’d on page 5

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The most important chemical discovery ever made

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Haber-Bosch process' industrial application © isStock-Mycola

O for deeper deposits and for ore body with wide and low-grade potassium content. However, conventional mining benefits from lower operational costs and greater availability of expertise worldwide. Another reality check concerned “handshake” contracts between suppliers and buyers, which could ultimately lead to litigation where these contracts are inadequately documented. Proactively, the Agricultural Retailers Association (United States) has recently developed a supplier-buyer standard fertilizer contract that is attracting interest beyond its membership in North America. In periods of market tensions and volatility, such a practice is seen as potentially being adopted more widely internationally.

More information  PIT Kiev conference http://ifa-kiev2013.org/Home.aspx  Production and trade statistics covering nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur products from 2002 to 2011 www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/ STATISTICS  Fertilizer market outlook summary reports www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/ FERTILIZERS-THE-INDUSTRY/Marketoutlooks.html  Latest statistical reports www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePageMember/PIT-COMMITTEE/Statistics/ Online-statistical-reports

n the occasion of IFA’s 39th Enlarged Council Meeting in Paris on 4-5 December, IFA is pleased to announce that the commemorative lecture for the 100th anniversary of the Haber-Bosch process will be presented by Thomas Hager, an award-winning popular science and narrative non-fiction writer. His bestselling book The Alchemy of Air received excellent reviews and opened the world of science to a broad range of readers − no small feat for a book about nitrogen. Nitrogen is an inert gas that makes up 80 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere. We inhale and exhale nitrogen without assimilating any of it. However, it is essential for nutrition. Nitrogen is the fourth most common element in our bodies and is the building block for proteins and nucleic acids. The nitrogen fixation process developed by the German scientists Fritz Haber (18681934) and Carl Bosch (1874-1940), each of whom received a Nobel Prize for Chemistry as a result, was a turning point in modern history. The ammonia, ammonium nitrate and urea manufactured by this method are the key ingredients of the fertilizers used today to grow the crops that sustain the lives of billions. Inside the human body every protein molecule, cell and stitch of DNA contains atoms that are the product of the Haber-Bosch process. In terms of direct societal impact, therefore, this can be considered the most important chemical discovery ever made. Nitrogen fixation is an energy-intensive process that tears apart the two nitrogen atoms tightly joined by triple covalent bonds and forges them into new molecules. These molecules contain atoms of other elements such as oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, and can be incorporated into our bodies. The synthetic nitrogen fertilizer produced using this process is essential to grow crops that feed both animals and humans. The Alchemy of Air captures the exhilaration of the period in which the much anticipated discovery of nitrogen fixation was made, relates the discovery to historical events (particularly the two world wars), and describes the fate of the two main characters. Haber and Bosch were geniuses who, despite their monumental discovery, ended up disillusioned and disgraced. Having achieved greatness, they were subjected to severe public and peer criticism for their roles in the German war effort. For example, the nuclear physicist Ernest Rutherford refused to shake Haber’s hand when Haber (who had been involved in developing poison gas) went to Cambridge to work in 1933. Bosch, who had helped to keep Germany armed during the First Thomas Hager holds master’s deWorld War, fell out of the good graces of grees in medical microbiology and the Nazi leadership because he criticized immunology from the Oregon Health its policies. Sciences University and in journalism On the 100th anniversary of the Haber- from the University of Oregon. The AlBosch process, the fertilizer industry (as chemy of Air, published in 2008, was well as farmers, scientists, corporate lead- a finalist for the National Academies ers and consumers) will be reflecting on Communication Award. It was listed as the tremendous benefits of this discovery. one of the “Best Books of The Year” We need to build on the work of these by Kirkus Reviews and was a Borders scientists and focus our efforts on further “Original Voices” selection. expanding research and development in www.thomashager.net the industry to help achieve food security.

6 fertilizers & agriculture Farmer outreach This article is the first in the series of “innovative ideas on effective last-mile delivery” undertaken by IFA members.

OCP Foundation’s Karnataka project in India leads to another Indian-Moroccan initiative by Hassina Moukhariq

CP Foundation, whose headquarters are in Rabat, Morocco, is committed to implementing projects that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable in Morocco and other countries. In 2010, in line with its South-South cooperation goals, OCP Foundation launched its first Indian pilot project to support resource-poor farmers in their struggle against food insecurity in rural areas. This four-year project involves 3000 farmers in three districts of the State of Karnataka in southwest India. It is being implemented by the Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals (ISAP) in collaboration with a Moroccan technical partner, the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA). The project is aimed primarily at building farmers’ capacity to use the best cropping practices for sustainable yield improvement, thereby improving their livelihood. Farmers in Karnataka are being trained in various components of production technology, including soil health testing, use of better seeds, balanced fertilizer use, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), together with post-harvest management and market linkages (Figure1).

Salient features include: selection of vaAbda-Doukkala and Tadla-Azilal) will rieties according to agro-climatic condibe involved in the project.The internations; maintenance of nurseries for seed tional consortium of partners impleproduction; appropriate crop spacing and menting this initiative is made up of intercropping; agri-infrastructure systems OCP Foundation, M.S. Swaminathan such as fertigation, pulse mills and water Research Foundation, two Moroccan harvesting structures; and use of low-cost research institutes (INRA and IAV Hasfarm mechanisation centres. san II) and two international CGIAR The success of this project (Table 1) has centres: ICARDA (International Center opened the way for another Indian-Mofor Agricultural Research in the Dry Arroccan initiative – launched in 2012 – to eas) and ICRISAT (International Crops boost production of food legumes and Research Institute for the Semi-Arid improved variety seeds through dissemiTropics). nation and adoption of improved technologies and good agricultural practices. Contact The purpose of the new five-year initiaOCP Foundation tive is to increase food security and nutrih.moukhariq@ocpfoundation.org tion, soil health, income growth, employwww.ocpfoundation.org ment opportunities and support for farmers’ organizations and Table 1. Some results of the Karnataka their empowerment using an onproject 2009-2011 farm participatory approach. The 2009 2011 Impact Indian-Moroccan Food Legumes Intiative will target 15,000 InAverage area under red gram (one of India’s most 3.25 acres 4.2 acres  dian farmers across seven states: important legume crops) Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Tripura, 670 kg/ Average productivity 300 kg/acre  Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, acre Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Indian rupee INR Annual average income  (INR) 30,589. 55,391. from farming In Morocco 10,000 farmers in Additional assets acquired five regions (Sais-Taounate, Zem16% 78.6%  by farms mour-Zaers, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Farmers with storage facilities for produce

19%

54.8%

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Farmers producing vermicompost

28.8%

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Farmers using liquid fertilizer/micronutrients

15.5%

97.8%

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Farmers using soil health card

100%

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Money contributed to farmers’ groups/Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

80.2%

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88.5%

46%

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60.2%

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Farmers with Kisan credit

21.5%

50%

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Farmers whose milk production has increased

4.5%

19.8%

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Farmers who feel their standard of living has improved

4.5%

98%

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Farmers taking out shortterm private loans Farmers with insurance coverage

Figure 1. Approach used in the Karnataka project

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The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need for potassium fertilizers remains strong by Terry L. Roberts, Paul E. Fixen, and Adrian M. Johnston

Potassium deficiency in corn, Midwest, US high percentage of soils testing below the critical levels. In China, many people believe that soil K levels have reached an optimum. Data from 50,000 soil samples collected from IPNI projects over the past 22 years show that soil K levels are trending upward on average. If soil samples from cereal crops do not include samples from cash crops, however, there has been little change. In other words, the average increase in soil test level is coming from fruits, vegetables, and oilseed crops. Farmers pay more attention to cash crops than to cereals. This has been verified recently with K response in farm fields across China.

In 2010-12 IPNI conducted 386 on-farm maize trials with their cooperators in seven provinces across China. They found that the average response to K fertilization ranged from 556 to kg/ha. During the same period 302 on-farm trials were conducted with wheat in four provinces. The average response to applied K in these wheat trials ranged from 557 to 847 kg/ha. It is therefore clear from on-farm data that cereal crops in China respond strongly to K fertilization. The soils of the Southern Cone countries in Latin America have long been considered to have high K levels with no need for K fertilization, but that view has been changing in the case of Uruguay. Potassium deficiencies were detected in several areas of that country, and field trials were initiated in 2004-06 with impressive results. For example, unfertilized soils in a maize trial averaged about 300 kg/ha and did not significantly improve when fertilized with nitrogen. Adding adequate levels of K fertilizer produced yields of 4000+ kg/ha. Soybeans have also shown a strong response to K fertilization.

ÂŠ All phtos: IPNI

esearch conducted by the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) continues to show a great need for potassium (K) fertilizers in both mature and emerging markets. In North America the trend in K balance is clear. Potassium fertilizer consumption peaked at around 5.5 million metric tonnes (Mt) in the early 1980s and has slowly trended downward to its current level of less than 4.5 Mt. But while K consumption has declined, average maize yields in the United States have increased from 6.3 t/ha in 1980 to about 10 t/ha today. The 60 percent increase in maize yields since 1980 equates to an increase of nearly 60 percent in K removal from the soil in harvested crop. With no increase in K input, the partial balance (input minus removal) has clearly declined. Potassium balances for the 12 US Corn Belt states in 2010 showed that crop removal of K2O exceeded input from fertilizer and manure by about 1.1 Mt, equivalent to a decline of 13 kg K2O for every hectare of cropland across the entire region. Consistent with the negative K balances, there has also been a decline in soil test data. Several Corn Belt states have both negative K balances and a

Potassium deficiency in soybean, Uruguay Many other examples of a positive response to K fertilization can also be given, as the right levels of potassium are vital to global food security.

Contact Percent of samples testing below critical levels for K for major crops in 2010 (Source: IPNI, 2010. Soil Test Levels in North America)

Terry L. Roberts, President IPNI troberts@ipni.net www.ipni.net

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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should target ending hunger sustainably by 2025 by Shenggen Fan Shenggen Fan, IFPRI Director General, comments on “The Report of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.”

while discouraging unhealthy consumption. Targeted social protection programs linked to nutrition and long-term human capital improvements will help the poorest of the poor access nutritious foods during crises and move out of poverty traps in the long run. Good quality, timely, and consistent data is essential to monitor progress towards the SDGs when fully developed. Anthropometric measurements in developing countries, which capture important dimensions of food security, should be scaled up, for example. The United Nations General Assembly will hold numerous events related to the SDGs later this year. The debates and deliberations during these events must be people-focused. The goals must be bold and pragmatic with clear targets and must be facilitated by a global and inclusive partnership, which will put us on a pathway to end hunger and malnutrition. Let’s all work together “to end hunger sustainably by 2025.”

The post-2015 agenda currently being discussed is a principal outcome of the Rio+20 Conference and represents a framework for the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Agenda recently released a report, which provides potential new goals and targets. Unlike the Millennium Development Goals, the post-2015 development agenda in the report gives greater attention to food and nutrition security while pursuing sustainable environmental goals, but much is left to be done before we arrive at a new development framework. The food and nutrition security goal must cover all important dimensions of hunger and malnutrition. For example, the measurement of hunger should go beyond access to adequate calories and be redefined to include dietary quality and nutrition. Today, more than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from This is a reprint: http://dgcorner.ifpri.info/2013/07/03/ deficiencies in essential micronutrients such as iron, vitamin A, sdgs-should-target-ending-hunger-sustainably-by-2025/ and zinc. The prevalence of obesity, which is rising in emerging countries and among children, is another dimension that deserves more attention. As I proposed during the Post-2015 Global Thematic Consultation on Hunger, Food Security and Nutrition, zero hunger and malnutrition can be achieved by 2025, instead of the 2030 The fer lizer industry contributes to mee ng the goals target date proposed by the High-Level Panof the Zero Hunger Challenge el—see my previous blog post. I am pleased that this time frame is already being adopted by leaders in Africa. Many emerging and developing countries like Brazil, China, Ghana, and Vietnam have made tremendous progress stunted access food increase in loss over the past 20 years. If all developing counchildren to adequate systems smallholder or less than food are produc vity waste tries follow a similar trend, ending hunger and two years all year round sustainable and income of food malnutrition by 2025 can be achieved. The fer lizer The products The fer lizer industry The fer lizer industry The fer lizer industry The role of agriculture, particularly smallholddevelops products industry supplied by the promotes agricultural puts the needs of er agriculture, should also be emphasized in contributes to fer lizer industry best prac ces and smallholder farmers and systems to extend the life cycle be er nutri on for help increase food nutrient use efficiency. at the centre of its achieving zero targets of these multi-dimenall, improving the produc on and Using extension ac vi es. Through of food, par cularly sions of malnutrition. The development of nutrient quality provide nutrients services, it helps provide public-private through the use of calcium-based and of food through essen al for human products and knowledge partnerships, and more nutritious crop varieties through bioformicronutrient health. to farmers around the extension and rural boron-supplemented tification and reduction of post-harvest losses advisory services, fer lizers to improve fer liza on. This world to reduce their the post-harvest benefits children environmental impact. the industry helps and waste are essential to promote nutritious under the age Through efficient use smallholder farmers integrity and of two, as well of fer lizers and the increase their nutri onal quality of foods along the entire agricultural supply as women from mi ga on of nutrient produc vity and most crops. chain. the beginning of losses, the carbon incomes. 1 pregnancy. footprint of agriculture Sustainable and healthy diets will also be critiis reduced and the cal to achieving these targets. Subsidies on quality of water, oceans, soil and air is protected. nutrient-rich and taxes on unhealthy foods can be used to promote healthier diets. These fisFer lizing Crops to Improve Human Health: A Scien fic Review, IFA,IPNI, 2012. cal policy measures should be complemented To view the position paper developped by IFA on post-2015: by public awareness campaigns to raise the dewww.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/SUSTAINABILITY/Post-2015 mand for and acceptability of nutritious foods 1

November 2013ď ź

IFA releases an updated assessment of fertilizer use by crop at the global level by Patrick Heffer, IFA

his updated assessment relates to the 2010-2010/11 campaign. Since the previous assessment, which covered the 2007-2007/08 campaign, four countries have been added to the analysis (Belarus, Japan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan). The crop breakdown has also been expanded, with the addition of the roots and tubers category and the splitting of fruits and vegetables into two distinct groups. In total, the update analyses 27 countries (the EU-27 is treated as a single country) and 13 crop groups. Covering 94 percent of world fertilizer consumption, it provides a good overview of the contribution of different crops to world fertilizer demand, keeping in mind that data published in the report are estimates based on the best information available at IFA. Total world fertilizer consumption reached 172.2 million metric tonnes (Mt) of nutrients in 2010-2010/111, of which 104.3 Mt N, 40.5 Mt P2O5 and 27.4 Mt K2O. 87.5 Mt is estimated to have been applied to cereals, i.e. slightly over half (50.8 percent) of world fertilizer uses. Fertilizer applications to the three main cereals were of similar magnitude: 16.1 percent for maize, the main fertilizer-

Other crops Wheat consuming crop, followed by wheat (15.8 11.7 15.8 percent) and rice (14.3 Vegetables percent). Fertilizer use 9.3 on the other cereals represented 4.6 per14.3 Rice Fruits 5.8 cent of the world total. Global applications to 3.0 oil crops are estimat- Roots/Tubers 4.2 ed at 19.0 Mt, or 11.0 Sugar crops 4.1 percent of world con16.1 Fibre crops sumption, with market 5.2 2 Maize 3.9 4.6 shares of 3.9 percent Other oilseeds for soybean, 2.0 perOil palm Other cereals cent for oil palm and Soybean 5.2 percent for the other oilseeds. Fibre crops Figure 1: Contribution of different crops to and sugar crops each global fertilizer consumption accounted for slightly over 4 percent of world applications, and roots ent requirements, but all of them are and tubers for 3.0 percent. Fruits and grown more or less intensively. Certain vegetables together represented slightgroups therefore have a much higher ly over 15 percent of the world market, impact on the consumption of some with fruits consuming 5.8 percent of the nutrients than on that of others. The total and vegetables 9.3 percent. Other contribution of each of the 13 groups crops, including grassland and a wide to global N, P and K fertilizer consumprange of miscellaneous crops, received tion is illustrated in Figure 2. the remaining 11.7 percent (Figure 1). These crop groups have different nutri-

Other crops Vegetables Fruits

Nitrogen Phosphate Potash

Roots/Tubers Sugar crops Fibre crops Other oilseeds Oil palm Soybean Other cereals Maize Rice Wheat 0

Million tonnes nutrients

Figure 2: World

N, P and K Fertilizer Use by Crop

For more information, download the full report at www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/LIBRARY/Publication-database. html/Assessment-of-Fertilizer-Use-byCrop-at-the-Global-Level-2010-2010-11. html

10 fertilizers & agriculture

IFA news IFA United Nation Tours A delegation of 11 IFA members attended the Global Compact Leaders’ Summit from 18 to 20 September, and had a series of side-meetings with key United Nations officials. The Global Compact sessions and side-events, together with these bilateral meetings proved to be a highly valuable tool to: • demonstrate IFA’s leadership on food security issues in the context of Post2015 and the Sustainable Development Goals; • to benchmark our industry vis-à-vis other business sectors; • and to learn about key issues relating to sustainability in a business context and corporate social responsibility. A second UN Tour is organized by IFA from 25 to 27 November. For more information: www.fertilizer. org/ifa/HomePage/SUSTAINABILITY/IFAUN-Tour-and-Leaders-Summit

IFA side-event " Fertilizing Crops to Improve Human Health” at the Committee on World Food Security

IFA organized a successful side-event during the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) on 8 October in Rome, Italy. The objective of the side-event was to raise awareness of policymakers on the human health benefits associated with agronomic biofortification and other relevant crop nutrition practices; as well as demonstrate how effective partnerships are already taking place worldwide and breaking ground in the eradication of nutrient deficiencies. To view the presentations and pictures: www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/SUSTAINABILITY/Nutrition/2013-Side-Eventhosted-at-CFS-FAO

IFA/CPCIF/CBC China seminar on sustainable fertilizer management by Patrick Heffer, IFA

A seminar on sustainable fertilizer management in China was held on 16-17 September in Beijing, co-organized by IFA, the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF) and China BlueChemical Ltd (CBC). It was attended by some 180 delegates. The seminar discussions took stock of the tremendous improvements in China’s food security brought about in part by fertilizers. They also addressed the environmental impacts that improper fertilizer application has had in certain regions of China. The discussions brought together renowned nutrient management experts with high-level government officials and fertilizer industry representatives. In his opening remarks Mr. Su Bo, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, emphasized that “China must reduce the environmental footprint of nitrogen and phosphorus use and strengthen international cooperation in this field.” Enhancing nutrient use efficiency without undermining food security, addressing secondary and micronutrient deficiencies, improving transfer of knowledge to farmers, and increasing productivity per unit of land, water, energy and labour were common messages shared by all the stakeholders present at the seminar. It was noted with satisfaction that nitrogen use efficiency has significantly improved in recent years in China, reversing the long-term declining trend. It was also recommended to encourage further progress. The key messages aris-

ing from the seminar are summarized on the IFA website at www.fertilizer.org/ ifa/HomePage/LIBRARY/Conference-papers/Agriculture-Conferences/2013-IFAChina-Seminar “IFA places great importance on improving nutrient stewardship around the world with a view towards greater environmental, economic and social sustainability,” commented Charlotte Hebebrand, Director General of IFA, “and we are very pleased to have had such an excellent gathering of experts to analyze the situation in China, which is both the world’s leading fertilizer producer and consumer.” Mr. Yang Yexin, CEO and President of CBC and IFA Vice President for China, said in his concluding remarks that “the Chinese fertilizer industry will contribute to scientific fertilization in order to support the country’s transition to modern agriculture.” During the seminar, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between IFA and the Chinese fertilizer industry associations. This MoU is the culmination of a long-standing relationship between the Chinese associations and IFA. Michel Prud’homme, who leads the China Initiative at the IFA Secretariat, noted that “For the past decade, there have been regular exchanges of information, several meetings and frequent participation in our conferences; we believe it is the right time to formally acknowledge these exchanges and to better structure our future cooperation.”

November 2013

New format for the IFA Crossroads Asia-Pacific conference look for agriculture and for fertilizer demand and supply, in the Asia-Pacific region. The theme of this year’s agronomic workshop on 7 November is one of IFA’s priorities for the years to come: nutrient stewardship. Participants from different parts of the region will be invited to present successful initiatives implemented in their countries. The IFA Crossroads Asia-Pacific Conference is a unique venue for networking with partners in the largest fertilizer consuming and producing region. This event is regularly attended by more than 300 participants. It is open to both members and non-members. Information about the conference, including registration, hotel accommodation, the programme and the list of participants, is regularly updated on the IFA website. We invite you to visit it often. © iStock - barista7105

The 2013 IFA Crossroads Asia-Pacific Conference will be held from 6 to 8 November in Bali, Indonesia. The format of the conference has been slightly changed compared to previous years. The traditional golf tournament on the first day of the conference has been replaced by a panel session on fertilizer subsidies. It will bring together panelists from the main Asian countries that implement fertilizer subsidy schemes. Following this interactive session, delegates should have a better understanding of the diversity of the subsidy regimes in place in the region. They will also be given the opportunity to discuss ways to improve the performance of existing schemes. At the Opening Session, Dr. Abdul Rashid will officially receive the 2013 IFA Norman Borlaug Award. He will make a presentation on Pakistan’s successful experience with micronutrients R&D for balanced crop nutrition. The plenary sessions on 7 and 8 November will address a wide range of issues including policy developments, and the out-

IFA events "Bridging Thoughts" Joint Communications / Agriculture / Innovation & Research Meeting*

IFA Crossroads Asia-Pacific Conference 6 – 8 November 2013 Bali, Indonesia See article above

39th IFA Enlarged IFA Enlarged Council Council Meeting Meeting*

4 – 5 December 2013 Paris, France The situation and outlook for the fertilizer industry are examined in this meeting, during which members of the IFA Council and chief executives of its member companies convene to adopt the following year’s budget. For this year's meeting a commemorative lecture for the100th anniversary of the Haber-Bosch process is presented by Thomas Hager. In addition to the popular market outlook session, a roundtable on stewardship, a topic of great importance for the industry, is held.

Restricted to IFA member companies

28 – 30 January 2014 Paris, France For the first time ever, the IFA Communicators Network, the IFA Agriculture Committee and the IFA Working Group on Innovation & Research will meet simultaneously in Paris in January 2014. Combining these meetings is expected to enhance participation and to create synergies among the three IFA bodies.

IFA Technical Symposium* 1 – 3 April 2014 Amsterdam, Netherlands Technology leaders from around the world will meet to discuss the topic of innovation in fertilizers. Best practices will be shared on new production processes, more efficient utilization, etc. Side events will include an open meeting of IFA’s Working Group on NORM in phosphogypsum.

More information on upcoming events: To access general and registration information about IFA events click on “Events” at: www.fertilizer.org/ifa/Home-Page/EVENT

12 fertilizers & agriculture

Fertilizing Crops to improve Human Health: A Scientific Review In 2008, IFA and IPNI commissioned an extensive scientific literature review of the state of knowledge in the complex domain of fertilizer use and human health. Leading scientists were identified to prepare the chapters of the publication “Fertilizing Crops to Improve Human Health”. All the chapters have been peer-reviewed by academic scientists in order to ensure the publication presents a thorough and balanced analysis. It aims at disseminating some of the most recent research around the role of macro and micronutrients fertilization as part of strategies to fight malnutrition and improve human health.

Infographics

Executive summary The 8-page executive summary is available in English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Chinese and soon also in Arabic.

International Fertilizer Industry Association 28, rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris, France Tel: +33 1 53 93 05 00 Fax: +33 1 53 93 05 45/47 ifa@fertilizer.org www.fertilizer.org @FertilizerNews! Fertilizers & Agriculture is a quarterly newsletter published by IFA covering issues in relation to fertilizers and sustainable agriculture. Mailing list Subscription to Fertilizers & Agriculture is free of charge. To receive a hard copy, send full address details to be added to the mailing list. Additional copies may be supplied to organizations to circulate on behalf of IFA. To consult current and past issues of Fertilizers & Agriculture: www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/ LIBRARY/Our-selection2/Fertilizers-Agriculture

IFA and its partners (IPNI and IZA) produced a series of infographics demonstrating the significant role that fertilizers can have as part of worldwide strategies to fight malnutrition through the role of micronutrient fertilization. All the Infographics are available in French, Spanish and soon in Arabic.

To download the infographics, the summaries and the book: www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/SUSTAINABILITY/Nutrition

Contributions We invite your contributions of letters, documents, articles, photographs, etc. Director General of IFA: Charlotte Hebebrand Editor-in-Chief: Claudine Aholou Material in F&A may be reproduced only after prior consent by IFA. Reference to individuals, publications, research, products, companies or organizations does not indicate endorsement by IFA. For information on IFA’s activities:www.fertilizer.org © International Fertilizer Industry Association 2013 Printed with vegetable-based ink by Point44 on paper from sustainably managed forests.

2014

IFA Norman Borlaug Award for excellence in crop nutrition knowledge transfer

INVITATION FOR APPLICATION IFA recognize individuals whose contribution to effective last-mile delivery has been outstanding as they play a crucial role in transferring knowledge from researchers to the farmers. For 2014, IFA is inviting individuals from developing countries and countries with economies in transition involved in crop nutrition knowledge transfer whose work resulted in long-term impacts on the adoption of nutrient management/stewardship practices by farmers to apply for the award. His/her work must show significant improvements in productivity, profitability, fertilizer use efficiency, environmental sustainability, food quality and human health, and rural life in general. The recipient of the IFA Norman Borlaug Award will receive â&#x201A;Ź 10,000 (ten thousand Euros) and will be invited as a guest to the IFA Annual Conference to be held in May 2014 in Sydney, Australia.

Charlotte Hebebrand Director General, IFA

REGIONS ELIGIBLE FOR THE 2014 IFA AWARD Africa; Asia (except Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Taiwan Province of China); Eastern Europe and Central Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; Oceania (except Australia and New Zealand). More details on IFA’s classification of countries, can be found at: www.ferti lizer.org/ifa/HomePage/INITIATIVES/ IFA-Norman-BorlaugAward

2014 IFA Norman Borlaug Award c/o International Fertilizer Industry Association

ELIGIBILITY The award is offered to individuals (not to organizations or companies) for their agricultural extension work with farmers in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Qualifying work should reflect the level of senior extension officers from member companies, public, private or civil society organizations involved in agricultural knowledge transfer. Research work that has no obvious impact on knowledge transfer is not taken into account in the evaluation of the candidates. Individuals with international organizations or institutions are not eligible.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE Applications must be submitted in English and in electronic format (by e-mail or cd-rom). The form can be downloaded from IFA’s web site at: www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/INITIATIVES/IFA-Norman-Borlaug-Award. Qualified individuals must be nominated by an IFA member. Applications must be submitted to an IFA member by 15 January 2014, to enable the members meet the deadline for nomination/submission to the IFA Secretariat on 31 January 2014. (If applicants need assistance to identify an appropriate IFA member, please contact: Angela Olegario, Tel: +33 1 53 93 05 32, Fax: +33 1 53 93 05 47, aolegario@fertilizer.org). The IFA Secretariat will only accept applications following the required format. The completed application form should not exceed more than 2,500 words for the qualification statements. Applicants must provide examples of relevant documents (brochures, leaflets, papers, etc.) and photos of tools quoted in their application form. Only ten supporting documents attached to the application form will be considered. Additional documents and nomination letters from other organizations, lists of publications and any other material will not be considered by the selection panel. Entries that are incomplete, exceed the maximum number of words, and are not accompanied by a nomination letter from an IFA member in good standing will be automatically disqualified.

28, rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris, France Tel: +33 1 53 93 05 00 Fax: +33 1 53 93 05 47 ifa@fertilizer.org www.fertilizer.org

JUDGING An independent panel will select the laureate on the basis of the long-term impact and quality of his/her work, and wide adoption by farmers. Preference is given to extension work leading to widespread adoption of nutrient management/stewardship practices resulting in significant improvements in productivity, profitability, fertilizer use efficiency, environmental sustainability, food quality and human health, and rural life in general. Concrete evidence should demonstrate the impact of the candidate’s extension work. The award recipient will be known during the second half of March 2014.