Fertilizers & Agriculture, October 2012 by International Fertilizer Industry Association

October 2012

fertilizers www.fertilizer.org

agriculture African Agricultural Scientists

Rio+20

emphazises sustainable agriculture and food security

A new generation

IPNI/IFA

Fertilizing crops to improve human health

AFrican fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership

Advancing the Green Revolution in Africa by Jason Scarpone griculture is a vital part of Africa’s economy and a necessity for feeding the continent and the world. But low farm productivity remains a stumbling block in many regions. The smallholder farmer can contribute to the growth of Africa’s agricultural sector and enhance food security. To thrive, however, farmers require more reliable and more affordable inputs including fertilizer. Coordinated action by businesses, entrepreneurs, governments, donors and development organizations is needed to provide the tools of change. Unfortunately, these are sectors that have traditionally operated alone. In an effort to unite the expertise and dedication of the public and private sectors, a coalition of development organizations has formed the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP). AFAP’s goal is to establish more competitive and sustainable fertilizer markets in Africa, and to contribute to an African Green Revolution. Rather than relying on traditional development paradigms, AFAP believes a united public and private sector can bolster the marketplace and encourage consistent and responsible fertilizer use.

The AFAP offer To accomplish this goal, AFAP offers incentives and assistance to private agribusinesses as they invest in Africa’s emerging fertilizer markets. AFAP also connects entrepreneurs and business leaders with development organizations that have proven track records in pro-

viding African smallholder farmers with the incentive, initiative and capability to source and use fertilizer. The mechanism that allows AFAP to unite the expertise and dedication of the public and private sectors is the Agribusiness Partnership Contract (APC). The APC is available to eligible international, regional and local agribusinesses that want financial, technical and logistical assistance as they make inroads into African markets. cont’d on page 12

IFA appoints its new Director General

he Council of the International Fertilizer Industry Association approved the appointment of Charlotte Hebebrand as its new Director General during the IFA Annual Conference in Doha in May 2012. Charlotte will replace Luc Maene, IFA’s current Director General, upon his retirement on 31 December 2012. She will be the first woman to hold this position. William J. Doyle, President of IFA and CEO of PotashCorp, presented Charlotte Hebebrand to IFA’s members in Doha, Qatar. “Charlotte is eminently qualified to be the next leader of our industry.

She has dedicated her career to food production and understands fully the value of fertilizers”, said Bill Doyle. Charlotte was selected after a thorough international search process during which more than 410 profiles were considered. Charlotte Hebebrand was the Chief Executive of the International Food and Agricultural Trade Policy Council (IPC), a think tank based in Washington, DC working on promoting a more open and equitable global food system and composed of a diverse mix of distinguished international agricultural trade experts. cont’d on page 2

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IFA news New IFA Technical Director Volker Andresen is a seasoned business development and marketing executive. Originally from northern Germany where he grew up in an agricultural environment, Volker completed his Master’s degree in Economics in the United States and France. Over the past two decades, Volker has held senior-level positions in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters of IBM, as well as a director position at the World Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association. In addition, Volker launched his own international consulting firm, taught communications at the renowned engineering school École des Mines, and published a well-reviewed book on public speaking.

Vice-Chair of the BIAC Committee on Food and Agriculture nomination In June 2012, the BIAC (Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD) Executive Board nominated Morgane Danielou as Vice-Chair of the BIAC Committee on Food and Agriculture. Morgane is IFA’s Director of Communications and Information.

IFA visits the UN headquarters Charlotte Hebebrand, IFA, and IFA representatives from Sinofert, Yara International, International Raw Materials and TFI visited the UN headquarters in New York on 12 September 2012. The purpose of this visit was to follow important debate and dialogues at the United Nations that impact the fertilizer industry, to pass important messages to Member States’ officials about the role of fertilizers to global food security and to build IFA’s network among individual governments.

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IFA appoints new DG She demonstrated her leadership and international understanding of agrifood chains during her time at IPC. Prior to this role, Charlotte held positions at the European Commission and the Brookings Institution. She holds an MA in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins Universityand is a dual German and US citizen. “It is a real pleasure to work for an industry that is doing so much for food security. I am looking forward to meeting all of IFA’s members and working closely with them on the key issue of feeding a growing population and improving the safety, health and environmental impact of the industry’s operations”, commented Charlotte Hebebrand upon her appointment. Her background is truly international but she has a particular interest in contributing to Africa’s agricultural development. Charlotte Hebebrand started working at IFA’s office in Paris on 1 September 2012. She works together with Luc Maene for four months before assuming the position of Director General on 1 January 2013.

Luc Maene has been Director General of the International Fertilizer Industry Association since 1987, following an FAO assignment of seven years in Asia and the Pacific. During his tenure, IFA’s membership expanded dramatically, adapting to changes in global market dynamics and involving new players, in particular in Asia. Commenting on Luc’s tenure with IFA, Bill Doyle said, “Luc Maene has done an outstanding job leading our global association for the last 25 years. He pushed our growth to the four corners of the world by greatly expanding our membership. His human touch was greatly appreciated by everyone and we are all very grateful to him for his many years of dedicated service to the fertilizer industry.” Luc Maene’s legacy will be celebrated during IFA’s Council meeting that will take place on 28 and 29 November in Rome, Italy. “Charlotte is the best candidate IFA’s leadership could select. Her reputation in the international agricultural and food policy world is outstanding”, he said.

2013 IFA Norman Borlaug Award for excellence in crop nutrition research

The role that scientists, researchers and extension workers play in the significant advances in crop nutrition to promote sustainable fertilizer use cannot be over-emphasized. It is for this reason that the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) grants annually the IFA Norman Borlaug Award. For 2013, IFA will recognize scientists/researchers or individuals involved in crop or soil science from developing countries, whose work will be judged on the basis of research quality, originality and practical application. The recipient of the IFA Norman Borlaug Award will receive € 10,000 (ten thousand euros) and will be invited as a guest to the IFA Annual Conference to be held from 20 to 22 May

2013 in Chicago, USA. The recipient will also be sponsored to participate in an international conference during the same year. Regions eligible for the 2013 IFA Award • Africa; • Asia (except Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Taiwan Province of China); • Latin America and the Caribbean; • Oceania (except Australia and New Zealand). More details on IFA’s classification of countries, can be found at: www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/ INITIATIVES/IFA-Norman-BorlaugAward

October 2012

Significance of sustainable agriculture and food security emphasized at Rio+20 by Samuel Gituro he United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) brought thousands of representatives of governments, international bodies, the private sector, NGOs, major groups and other stakeholders to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the 20th anniversary of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). They were there to agree on a range of smart measures to reduce poverty while promoting decent jobs, clean energy, and more sustainable and fairer use of resources. The development of a green economy was a central theme, with the agriculture sector pressing its case to be at the heart of that process. More than 500 on-site side-events took place at RioCentro during Prepcom III (13-15 June), the Sustainable Development Dialogue Days (16-19 June) and the Rio+20 summit meeting itself (20-22 June). Some of IFA’s members were present at the summit and participated in various side-events. By delivering key messages on fertilizer best management practices and highlighting the 4R nutrient stewardship programme, they made sure the voice of the fertilizer industry was heard. On 12 June Luis Prochnow, Program Director, International Plant Nutrition Institute, IPNI (Brazil), under the umbrella of the Farming First Coalition, participated in the International Council for Science (ICSU) conference. He spoke on “Transforming and Scaling up Agricultural Extension” and gave a presentation on the private sector’s contribution to extension as well as on experience with sharing best practices for nutrient management. Prochnow highlighted the reality that awaits the world in the near future: “To feed 9 billion people, it will be necessary to produce as much food in the next 40 years as was produced in the last 8,000 years.” On 14 June Farming First held an event on “Innovation and Improving Uptake of Best Practices for Sustainable Agriculture,” at which Clyde Graham,

Partnership on Nutrient Management sponsored an event on “Nutrients: For Food or Pollution? The Choice is Ours!” Cleiton Vargas of Yara Brazil gave a presentation on “Our Nutrient World – a Global Challenge for the 21st Century.” In describing some fertilizer industry perspectives, he pointed out that agriculture can be part of the solution to the challenge of matching thousands of years of historical food production in the next few decades. However, this must be done sustainably, using a holistic approach to manage our resources: “Resources will be increasingly scarce, and we need to cater for the needs of Vice-President Strategies and Alliances, all. More crop per drop, an increased toCanadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI), was tal factor productivity, is vital for a susthe speaker. 4R nutrient stewardship tainable future.” The industry position was outlined with respect to how it will is based on a simple concept: promote lead the industry to become sustainable more efficient use of fertilizers in order through achieving environmental, soto mitigate adverse effects. cial and economic goals. To meet these The 4th Agriculture goals, the 4R stewardship programme promotes the use of and Rural DevelopThe private sector ment Day, which the Right (fertilizer) Source at the Right Rate, at the Right is an essential player took place on 18 Time and in the Right Place in delivering the tech- June, brought to(see publications page 10). gether a consornologies, tools and Graham told those attending tium of the world’s knowledge needed the event that “Fertilizer is a leading agricultural science-based industry and by farmers.  organisations to everything we do must be discuss agriculture’s backed by science.” role in building a global green economy. On 16 June the United States DepartIts purpose was to ensure that Rio+20’s ment of Agriculture (USDA) hosted anvision of a green economy included other event, ‘Innovation for Sustainable clear steps for building a sustainable Agricultural Productivity Growth’. Luis food system. This event gave a voice to Pronchow of IPNI was the speaker there a wide cross-section of people working too, on “Innovations in Fertilizer and on land, food and sustainability. The Fertilizer Management”. He told participrogramme explored concrete cases of pants that “Fertilizer is fundamental for successful activities that could translate sustainability and food production.” He into a thorough transformation of the also underlined that there is a great onglobal food system. In addition, Anne going effort from the fertilizer industry Grethe Dalane, Yara’s Regional Director concerning the efficient use of nutrients for Latin America, who chaired a Farmaimed at meeting agronomic, environing First learning event, commented mental and social goals, as well as sevthat “The private sector is an essential eral joint initiatives around the world player in delivering the technologies, to promote Fertilizer Best Management tools and knowledge needed by farmPractices. ers. Public-private partnerships can play On 17 June the United Nations Envia key role in driving sustainable growth ronment Programme (UNEP) Global in agricultural productivity.” © iStockPhoto

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fertilizers && agriculture agriculture 44  fertilizers

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The Zero Hunger Challenge At Rio+20, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Zero Hunger Challenge, which invites all countries to work for a future where every individual has adequate nutrition and where all food systems are resilient. This initiative will be the focus of the High Level Task Force on Global Food Security. The Task Force will be reoriented to focus on the Challenge’s five objectives as a guide for a coherent UN system approach to food and nutrition security. These 5 main objectives are: 1. achieving 100 per cent access to adequate food all year round; 2. ending malnutrition in pregnancy and early childhood; 3. making all food systems sustainable; 4. increasing growth in the productivity and income of smallholders, particularly women; 5. achieving a zero rate of food waste. The Zero Hunger Challenge is supported by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank and Bioversity International. For more information: www.un.org/ apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42342

Rio+20

Growth in the agriculture sector is at least twice as effective in reducing poverty as that in any other sector. Through improved management of crops, livestock, soil, water, forests and other natural habitats, smallholder farmers can achieve the triple win of (1) stronger food security with reduced poverty; (2) greater resilience in the face of environmental threats; and (3) more robust rural livelihoods. On 21 and 22 June, Member States’ delegations, United Nations entities and major groups presented their statements. Then, on the evening of 22 June, world leaders approved the outcome document for Rio+20, “The Future We Want.” In the months leading up to Rio+20 negotiations on the outcome document included several week-long sessions and many long nights. Under the leadership of the Brazilian Government, however, a compromise was reached. The significance of sustainable agriculture, food security and smallholder farmers was formally recognized in the document. They are mentioned prominently in the final Rio+20 text. The food security section explicitly acknowledges the link between food security and agriculture, which had not been the case in January’s zero draft text. The concept of sustainability, when ap-

plied to agriculture, implies that key resources such as soil, nutrients and water cannot be consumed exhaustively. There is a need to replenish the soil’s nutrients, which can be achieved through the right use of fertilizers that will ensure sustainable yields. Fertilizers therefore have a crucial role to play in achieving sustainable agriculture. “Let me be clear. Rio+20 was a success,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a General Assembly meeting on the outcome of the Conference. “In Rio, we saw the further evolution of an undeniable global movement for change.” Through the outcome document, the Secretary-General reported, countries renewed their political commitment to sustainable development, agreed to establish a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs), and established a highlevel political forum on sustainable development.

More information  www.uncsd2012.org/  www.farmingfirst.org/2012/05/farming-first-to-host-three-side-eventsduring-rio20/  www.agricultureday.org/  www.icsu.org/rio20/science-andtechnology-forum

Joining forces to combat hunger

An agreement to cooperate on private and public agricultural research by Friedhelm Mester The International Potato Center (CIP) has signed a Letter of Intent to cooperate on private and public agricultural research with K+S KALI GmbH, the German manufacturer of potash and magnesium products, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). GIZ was acting on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Cooperation will focus on potatoes, the world’s fourth most important staple food. “The global food security challenge demands that we continue to increase the productivity of basic foods; improving soil fertility and plant nutrition is a key component in this challenge. Today marks an important step in that direction,” said Pamela Anderson, Director General of the CIP. The CIP, whose headquarters is in Lima, Peru, is part of the 15-centre research alliance, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The aim of the new partnership is to undertake joint activi-

ties to promote food security and rural development, combat poverty by generating income from improved production, and help to secure genetic resources and preserve biological diversity in potato varieties. Information exchange on ongoing research projects began once the Letter of Intent was signed in May 2011. Mutual research interests have been identified, and improvements are starting to be made with regard to knowledge transfer.

Contact Friedhelm Mester, K+S KALI GmbH friedhelm.mester@kali-gmbh.com Tel: +49 561/9301-2230

More information  International Potato Center/ http://cipotato.org/about-cip  K+S KALI/ GmbH www.kali-gmbh.com/uken/  Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit: www.giz.de/en/html/about_giz.html

October 2012

Cultivating a new generation of African women agricultural scientists by Karen Homer

ence, even in the traditionally maledominated fertilizer industry. Ikerra credits the fellowship she won in 2008 from African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) with strengthening her leadership skills and equipping her to advance in her career. “I gained many management skills when I was sponsored by AWARD to attend a project management course in Israel.” As TFRA’s Executive Director, Ikerra is currently focused on increasing the use of appropriate fertilizers in Tanzania from the current low of 8 kg/ha to 50 kg/ha. “We know that the use of good quality and the right quantity of fertilizer and fertilizer supplements increases crop yields, so my work has a big impact on food security and poverty alleviation.” AWARD fellows represent a wide range of agricultural disciplines, including soil and natural resource scientists. Women eager to sharpen their research skills often struggle to find funding for advanced science training or connections to hosting institutions. AWARD and partner institutions sponsor selected fellows on three- to nine-month research attachments, giving them access to state-of-the-art laboratories and the latest techniques. Stella Asuming-Brempong, a senior research fellow in the University of Ghana’s Department of Soil Science, says she greatly benefited from her AWARDsponsored training at Dow AgroSciences in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States. “I learned cutting edge technologies and current methodologies to enhance my research in Ghana,” she explains. AsumingBrempong is working on improving the yield of upland rice (NERICA) by using phosphate Anne Muriuki (right) during a field day at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute.

usan Ikerra, Executive Director of the Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) and a former principal agricultural researcher for 25 years, is a leading fertilizer expert in her country and in East Africa. However, Ikerra is a rare breed of leader in African agricultural research circles – she’s a woman. Women produce, process and market the majority of Africa’s food, but only one in four African agricultural researchers is female and only 14 per cent hold leadership positions in agricultural research institutions. There are many contributing factors. Female secondary school students often drop science subjects, which are perceived to be difficult. Societal expectations that African women remain at home also make travelling abroad for further scientific studies challenging. In addition, most government decisionmaking positions are occupied by men. Women miss out on key opportunities, including training and participation in the prioritization of institutional and national development issues. “Women must perform exceptionally well compared to men in order to be appreciated,” says Ikerra. “This sometimes discourages women from aspiring to top positions. Attitudes and mindsets need to change.” Nevertheless, she knows that change is possible. Women scientists can secure positions of influ-

AWARD is a profes-

sional development programme that strengthens the research and leadership skills of African women in agricultural science, empowering them to contribute more effectively to poverty alleviation and food security in subSaharan Africa. Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), AWARD offers two-year fellowships focused on fostering mentoring partnerships, building science skills, and developing leadership capacity. African women working in agricultural research for development from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in selected disciplines are eligible. Selection criteria include intellectual merit, leadership capacity, and the potential of the scientist’s research to improve the daily lives of smallholder farmers, especially women.

www.awardfellowships.org solubilizing microorganisms, rock phosphates, and Cajanus cajan as a fallow crop to sustainably build up the soil phosphorus and nitrogen levels in the upland rice cropping system. “The study sabbatical was refreshing and rejuvenating, inspiring new scientific ideas and innovative experiments. Interacting with scientists at Dow AgroSciences and Purdue University was enlightening.” Anne Muriuki, a principal research scientist on a Kenya Agricultural Research Institute project that is studying the suscont’d on page 6

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African women agricultural scientists tainability of organic farming in Kenya, says AWARD helped to boost her professional visibility and productivity. “I won a National Council for Science and Technology grant (Kenya) worth USD 17,000 for the project, presented at several international science conferences, and submitted three papers to refereed journals.” Demand for the type of training that AWARD offers is high. Since the project began in 2008, more than 2,900 female scientists from 500 institutions have applied for one of the 320 available fellowships. “Cultivating a new generation of African leaders in food and agriculture is strategically important,” says AWARD Director Vicki Wilde. “That leadership

will be all the more effective when women are highly represented, especially by those technically competent to generate the innovations needed by rural women and other smallholder farmers. However, if women are to advance in their careers and be fully represented at decision-making levels, then they need both hard skills (scientific skills) and the soft skills (leadership and negotiation abilities) that are not usually taught in the classroom or modelled in the lab. AWARD is building those competencies.”

Maize in season in Kenya

Contact Karen Homer Communications Manager, AWARD Hosted by the World Agroforestry Centre Nairobi, Kenya k.homer@cgiar.org www.awardfellowships.org

Trade-At-Hand e-commerce technology in Liberia n 29 March the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) participated in a three-day agricultural show at the Cuttington University Campus in Bong County, Liberia, which brought together more than 200 farmers from all over the country along with representatives of NGOs, government entities, suppliers and others. The Angie Brooks Trade-AtHand staff provided extensive training at a workshop during the show. Feedback from farmers and other participants underlined the need to disseminate the Trade-At-Hand e-commerce technology. Trade-At-Hand is a mobile phone-based service that offers marketing solution services to targeted business environments in Liberia by linking buyers and sellers. It enables users to post product offers on a centralized database. Trade-At-Hand links farmers, market women and other business entities with more efficient, cheaper and better communications throughout the country. Eventually, it will facilitate Liberia’s export strategy initiative. Trade-At-Hand is a Java application for mobile phones. There is a web interface for those with access to internet browsing. All that is required to access this service is a simple, low-cost cell phone. More than 85 per cent of the people in Liberia have these phones. The objective of Trade-At-Hand is to help produce equal and fair profits in the business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing services industry by expanding agricultural trade in Liberia and connecting Liberian farmers to global markets. Therefore, the services available from Trade-At-Hand also include e-commerce training, market research and industry sector analysis, feasibility studies, strategic analysis and reports,

as well as day and night customer support. Trade-at-Hand’s services are sought by companies ranging from small-scale farmers to international market research companies. Successful businesses are using Interactive Voice Recording (IVR), working with their clients directly via email, making multimedia presentations, and desktop publishing various types of reports, among other innovations. Trade-At-Hand is focused on two keys to success, which may be broadly characterized as external and internal factors. External factors concern the business environment, where changes from the old economy to the global new economy are bringing about growth in e-commerce, mobility capital and liberalization in the region. A business can also contribute to its own success through internal factors such as selling and marketing power, excellence in fulfilling promises, developing the capability to generate new strategies, ensuring high-quality service and customer satisfaction, creating multiple opportunities from a single line of expertise, and having a good management team in place. The ABIC, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), hosted a programme that initiated the Trade-At-Hand Project on 25 July 2011. The project was officially launched by the President of Liberia, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The “Trade at Hand for Liberia’s market women” software application was initiated in 2008. It was produced by the ITC to provide an innovative mobile solution for better business aimed at women in business and trade in Liberia. © ABIC

Contact Angie Brooks International Centre, University of Liberia info@angiebrookscentre.com www.angiebrookscentre.com/

October 2012

Fertilizing crops to improve human health: a scientific review by Tom Bruulsema, Patrick Heffer, Ross Welch, Ismail Cakmak, and Kevin Moran

ince 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined human health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The awarding of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize to Dr Norman Borlaug indicates a high level of recognition of the linkage of agricultural sciences to this definition of human health. This article summarizes a joint publication from IPNI and IFA comprised of 11 chapters in three volumes described below.

Volume 1: food and nutrition security

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Nutrition security means access to the adequate utilization and absorption of nutrients in food, in order to be able to live a healthy and active life (FAO, 2009). Between 1961 and 2008, the world’s population grew from 3.1 to 6.8 billion. During the same period, global cereal production grew from 900 to 2,500 Mt (Figure 1), with much of the growth due to the increase in world fertilizer use from 30 to more than 150 Mt. Without fertilizer use, world cereal production would be halved (Erisman et al., 2008). By doubling the quantities of new N and P entering the terrestrial biosphere,

A large proportion of humanity depends for its sustenance on the food production increases brought about through the application of fertilizers to crops. Fertilizer contributes to both the quantity and quality of the food produced. Used in the right way—applying the right source at the right rate, time and place—and on the right crops, it contributes immensely to the health and well-being of humanity.

fertilizer use has played a decisive role in making possible the access of humankind to food. However, not all have access. Chronic hunger still haunted the existence of one-sixth of the world’s people in 2009. By 2050, according to FAO, the human population would require a 70 per cent increase in global agricultural output compared to that between 2005 and 2007 (FAO, 2012). Future yield increases expected through genetic improvement will still depend on replenishment of nutrients removed by using all possible sources, organic and mineral, as efficiently as possible.

boosted by the application of nutrients. Since most farmers already fertilize for optimum yields, these benefits are easily overlooked. Trace elements important to human nutrition can be optimized in the diet by applying them to food crops. Opportunities exist to improve yields and nutritional quality of food crops such as pulses, whose yields and production levels have not kept pace with population growth. Ensuring that such crops maintain economic competitiveness with cereals requires policies that reward farmers for producing the nutritional components of greatest importance to human health.

Nutrition Security. In addition to

Micronutrient malnutrition has been

yield, plant nutrition affects other important components of human nutritional needs, including the amounts and types of carbohydrates, proteins, oils, vitamins and minerals. Many of the healthful components of food are

increasing, partially as a consequence of increased production of staple cereal crops. Other micronutrient-rich crops, particularly pulses, have not benefited as much from the Green Revolution. Having become relatively more expensive, they now comprise a smaller proportion of the diets of the world’s malnourished poor. Biofortification of crops can be an effective strategy for moving large numbers of people from deficient to adequate levels of Fe, vitamin A, and Zn. cont’d on page 8

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Fertilizing crops to improve human health The choice of genetic or agronomic approaches to biofortification depends on the micronutrient. The two approaches can also be synergistic. In staple crops, genetic approaches are most effective for Fe and vitamin A, while agronomic approaches including fertilizers can boost the Zn, I, and Se levels in foods. While deficiencies of I and Se do not limit the growth of plants, correction of Zn deficiency can benefit both crops and consumers of crops. Fertilizing cereals with Zn and Se improves both concentration and bioavailability of these trace elements. A large proportion—49 per cent—of soils worldwide are considered deficient in Zn (Sillanpaa, 1990). The proportion of people at risk of Zn malnourishment, while varying regionally, is also substantial (Table 1). Table 1. Global and regional estimates of the proportion of the population at risk of inadequate Zn intake (Hotz and Brown, 2004). Region

Population at risk (%)

N. Africa and E. Mediterranean

Sub-Saharan Africa

Latin America & Caribbean

USA and Canada

Eastern Europe

Western Europe

Southeast Asia

South Asia

China (+Hong Kong)

Western Pacific

Global

Volume 2: functional foods

Calcium, Mg, and K are essential macro mineral nutrients for humans. The essential functions of these mineral elements in humans are similar to those in plants, with the striking exception of calcium’s major role in bones and teeth. Their content in plants is influenced by their supply in the soil. Thus, in addition to assuring optimal crop production, fertilization practices may contribute to meeting the requirements for these minerals in human nutrition. Calcium deficiencies occur in countries where diets depend heavily on refined grains or

Applying the right source of plant nutrients at the right rate, time and place enables improvement of crop quality. rice (e.g. Bangladesh and Nigeria). Adequate Mg intake is not easily defined, but studies suggest a significant number of adults, even in the United States, do not consume adequate amounts. Similarly, a recommended daily allowance for K intake has not been defined, but only 10 per cent of the men and less than 1 per cent of the women in the United States take in as much as or more than the adequate intake of 4.7 g/day.

Carbohydrates, proteins and oils. Applying N to cereals adds to the protein they produce, as well as their yields. In rice, while N has its largest effects on yield, it can slightly increase protein amount and quality, since the glutelin it promotes has higher concentrations of the limiting amino acid, lysine, than do the other proteins it contains. In corn (maize) and wheat, protein may increase with N rates higher than needed for optimum yield, but the improvement in nutritional value may be limited by low concentrations of the essential amino acid lysine. An exception is the Quality Protein Maize developed by plant breeding: its lysine concentration remains high when more N is applied. In potatoes, N increases starch and protein concentration while P, K, and S enhance protein biological value. Oil composition of crops changes little with fertilization, though oil production is increased wherever yield limiting nutrient deficiencies are alleviated. Management tools that more precisely iden-

tify optimum source, rate, timing and placement of N will help improve the contribution of fertilizer to production of healthful proteins, oils and carbohydrates. Genetic improvements to N use efficiency may require careful attention to impact on protein quantity and quality in cereals. However, nutrient management practices such as late foliar applications or controlled-release technologies can boost N availability for protein production while keeping losses of surplus N to a minimum.

Health-functional quality of fruits and vegetables. Scientific evidence from numerous sources has demonstrated that judicious fertilizer management can increase productivity and market value as well as the health-promoting properties of fruits and vegetables. Concentrations of carotenoids (Vitamin A precursors) tend to increase with N fertilization, whereas the concentration of vitamin C decreases. Foliar K with S enhanced sweetness, texture, color, vitamin C, beta-carotene and folic acid contents of muskmelons. In pink grapefruit, supplemental foliar K resulted in increased beta-carotene, and vitamin C concentrations. Several studies on bananas have reported positive correlations between K nutrition and fruit quality parameters such as sugars and ascorbic acid, and negative correlations with fruit acidity. In addition to effects on vitamins, fertilizers can influence levels of nutraceutical (health-promoting) compounds in crops. Soybeans growing on K-deficient soils in Ontario, Canada had isoflavone concentrations about 13 per cent higher when fertilized with K. Potassium has also been reported to promote concentrations of lycopene in grapefruit and

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October 2012

IFA news

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in tomatoes. Broccoli and soybeans are examples of plants that can contribute Ca and Mg to the human diet. When crops like these are grown in acid soils of limited fertility, applying lime can boost the levels of these important minerals. The potent antioxidant pigments lutein and betacarotene generally increase in concentration in response to N fertilization. Together with vitamins A, C, and E, they can help lower the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, which is one of the leading causes of blindness.

Volume 3: risk reduction

Plant disease. In cereals deficient in Cu, ergot (Claviceps sp.) is an example of a food safety risk caused by a plant disease that can be controlled by application of Cu fertilizer. By immobilizing and competing for mineral nutrients, plant pathogens reduce mineral content, nutritional quality and safety of food products from plants. While many other specific diseases have known plant nutritional controls, there is a knowledge gap regarding the optimum nutrition for controlling the plant diseases most relevant to food safety. Managing nutrition influences diseases and their control. Strategies to reduce plant disease through plant nutrition include: • the development of cultivars that are more effective in taking up Mn; • balanced nutrition with optimum levels of each nutrient; • attention to forms and sources suited to the crop (e.g. nitrate versus ammonium, chloride versus sulphate); • timing, applying N during conditions favouring plant uptake and growth response; • integration with tillage, crop rotation, and soil microbes.

Farming systems. Organic farmers apply strategies for plant nutrition that differ from those of other producers. Do these differences influence the healthfulness of the food they produce? Owing to the restricted sources for nutrient supply, organic farming cannot provide sufficient food for the current and growing population in the world. Also, because organic production systems rely heavily on ruminant animals and forage crops for the cycling of nutrients, the

Increasing Agricultural Productivity to Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Application of Cu fertilizer (CuSO4 crystal on the right) has been an effective treatment in ergot-prone soils. proportions of food types produced do not match the requirements of healthy diets. An imbalanced dietary composition can cause health problems as a result of insufficient supply of essential nutrients or excessive supply of other food constituents. The composition of foods produced does show small changes explained by plant physiological responses to differences in N supply. Vitamin C is increased, but A and B vitamins, protein and nitrate are reduced under organic farming. Higher levels of nitrate in conventionally grown foods do not threaten and may be beneficial to human health. Despite the great interest in food quality among supporters of organic agriculture, focusing on food supply and dietary composition is most important for human health.

Remediating radionuclides. When soils become contaminated with radionuclides, as for example after accidents with nuclear reactors in Chernobyl or Fukushima, limiting plant uptake becomes an important goal for protecting human health. Studies on soils from the Gomel region of Belarus showed that levels of radiocaesium (137Cs) and radiostrontium (90Sr) in crops declined in response to increasing soil exchangeable K, with K applied as either fertilizer or manure. These radionuclide levels also declined with addition of dolomitic limestone, and N and P fertilizers. The involvement of rural inhabitants in processes of selfrehabilitation and self-development is a way to improve people’s life quality on radioactive contaminated territories. To download the three parts: www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/LIBRARY/Our-selection2/Fertilizer-use. html A paper copy will be available by the end of the year and this will be announced on IFA’s home page.

Summary and extended version. IFA, July 2012. Contrary to other sectors, agriculture is not only an emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) but also a carbon sink. To grow more food with less impact on the climate, it is necessary to increase productivity while reducing agricultural GHG emissions. Managing plant nutrients more effectively is one of the solutions to manage such trade-offs. The fertilizer industry has an important role to play, in particular in the promotion of Fertilizer Best Management Practices and Integrated Soil Fertility Management. These best practices result in increased nutrient use efficiency while reducing emissions and maintaining soil fertility and yield increases, as demonstrated in a number of countries. Further research is, however, needed to address research gaps in GHG agricultural budgets, document comparisons between different cropping systems and across regions and devise new adaptation and mitigation strategies for climate-friendly agricultural production systems worldwide. To download the two versions: w w w. f e r t i l i z e r. o r g / i f a / H o m e P a g e / LIBRARY/Our-selection2/Issue-briefs www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage

Fertilizer Outlook 2012 - 2016 P. Heffer and M. Prud’homme IFA, June 2012. To download the report: www.fertilizer.org/ ifa/HomePage/ FERTILIZERS-THEINDUSTRY/Market-outlookstml

10 fertilizers & agriculture

Assofertilizzanti

Working for agriculture in Italy by Marco Rosso

ssofertilizzanti is one of 17 members of Federchimica (Italy’s National Association of the Chemical Industry). With a total annual turnover of about € 1 billion, the fertilizer sector represents around 2 per cent of Italy’s chemical industry. The fertilizer producers represented by Assofertilizzanti constitute more than 90 per cent of the national fertilizer market. The economic scenario for the Italian fertilizer sector has remained more or less stable for the last five years. The offer continues to be characterized by a high level of products imported from non-EU countries, with total consumption of around 5.5 million tonnes (of which 4.4 million tonnes of fertilizers and 1.1 million tonnes of soil improvers and liming materials). In 2009, according to the ISTAT (National Institute of Statistics), 64.9 per cent of fertilizer distribution was concentrated in the north, 14.1 per cent in the centre and 21.0 per cent in the south. Assofertilizzanti elaborates technical, legal and regulatory guidelines related to fertilizer production and use and makes them known to public decision makers, farmers’ organizations, the world of communications and the scientific community. In Italy and indeed in Europe, where the need for food is being met, the challenge is how to optimize the use of technical inputs in agriculture. Thanks to R&D and new agronomic techniques, it is now possible to improve agricultural production by using fertilizers sustainably. Their sustainable use is the key to satisfying the growing food needs of the world population while respecting the environment. It is essential, however, that fertilizer producers adhere to high quality standards. Assofertilizzanti not only directly represents the fertilizer industry. It also supports Italian agriculture by

financing economic studies, investing in R&D, and providing young Italian researchers with incentives to carry out their activities in Italy, thus contributing to the country’s scientific and technological progress. Cooperation with all the key players in the food chain is crucial in order to produce sufficient food of good quality. Assofertilizzanti is committed to promoting the highest quality in regard to the products distributed in the Italian market by its associated companies. In order to do this, it has signed an agreement with ICQRF (the acronym for the Ministry of Agriculture’s national body for combatting fraud) to implement a programme of inspections aimed at verifying that fertilizers’ quality complies with the declared content. Italy is known throughout the world for the excellent quality of its food and for its agricultural production, thanks to a long tradition and to the skills of Italian farmers. Nevertheless, continuing this tradition will not be possible without a high innovation rate, including the proper use of fertilizers.

Contact Marco Rosso, Director, Assofertilizzanti - Federchimica 0039 02 34565218 rosso.assofertilizzanti@federchimica.it

More information  Assofertilizzanti: www.assofertilizzanti.it  Assofertilizzanti Press Kit : bit.ly/OEWb0t  Federchemica site in English: www.federchimica.it/index_eng.aspx

Publications Fertilizer subsidies in sub-Saharan Africa Zoé Druilhe and Jesús BarreiroHurlé ESA Working paper No. 12-04, July 2012. FAO, Rome, Italy. 73 pp. Contact www.fao.org/economic/esa www.fao.org/docrep/016/ ap077e/ap077e.pdf.

4R Plant Nutrition In further support of 4R Nutrient Stewardship and its approach to implementing fertilizer best management practices, the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) has released a second version of its 4R Plant Nutrition Manual—one that is fully metric. It contains illustrations, learning modules, and case studies. Contact http://ppi-store.stores.yahoo. net/4rplnumafori.html

October 2012

The Protect&Sustain Roll of Honour Achema, Lithuania Anwil S.A., Poland Azomures, Romania BASF AG / Fertilizer BU Europe, Germany Borealis Agrolinz Melamine GmbH, Austria Fertiberia S.A., Spain GPN, France GrowHow UK Ltd., United Kingdom Lovochemie A.S., Czech Republic Nitrogénmüvek Zrt., Hungary OCI Agro, Netherlands Zaklady Azotowe Pulawy S.A., Poland Yara International ASA, Belgium Qafco, Qatar Rotem Amfert Negev, Israel Dead Sea Works (DSW), Israel

IFA Product Stewards are those companies that have been independently audited and have demonstrated the levels of excellence in product stewardship required to receive such recognition. Pioneer Businesses are the early adopter organizations currently developing their own product stewardship initiative within the framework of the Protect&Sustain global initiative. The Pioneer Database presents contact details for individual product stewardship project leaders within other fertilizer industry organizations, to facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience throughout the whole industry. For more information: www.protectandsustain.org/honour/ See also Fertilizers and Agriculture, May 2012 issue.

Yara Mexico, Mexico

IFA events IFA Crossroads Asia-Pacific 29 – 31 October 2012 Manila, Philippines Focusing on the pivotal Asian region and Pacific basin, IFA’s Crossroads Asia-Pacific conference is an extremely popular event, with some 300 participants in attendance. This event is organized under the guidance of the Regional Vice Presidents for all members with an interest in Asia and the Pacific as well as newcomers acquainting themselves with the Association in view of potential membership.

Mark your Agenda for IFA Events 2013: IFA Global Safety Summit and Technical Symposium* 8 – 12 April 2013 Santiago, Chile

81st IFA Annual Conference* 20 – 22 May 2013 Chicago, USA In cooperation:

IFA/New Ag International Conference on Slow- and Controlled-Release and Stabilized Fertilizers 12-13 March 2013 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

38th IFA Enlarged Council Meeting* 28 – 29 November 2012 Rome, Italy 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.

Restricted to IFA member companies

More information on upcoming events: To access general and registration information about these events click on “Events” at: www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/EVENTS A pocket-size events brochure can also be downloaded.

12 fertilizers & agriculture

cont’d from page 1

Advancing the Green Revolution in Africa In return for this assistance, agribusinesses commit to making significant market development contributions. These contributions could include making infrastructure improvements, offering trade credit to local retailers, or making inroads into underserved markets.

AFAP’s goals AFAP has set ambitious goals for the countries where it works. In the next five years it plans to: • increase the number of fertilizer users by 15 per cent; • at least double total fertilizer usage. To achieve these goals, AFAP will work to: • introduce international fertilizer suppliers to new markets and provide expansion assistance to those already in business in the countries where AFAP works; • add new or improved blending or granulating plants in each country where it works; • increase the number of metric tonnes of capacity available for fertilizer warehousing; • develop new and improved retail and cooperative storage facilities that can bolster the number of metric tonnes of fertilizer storage available.

AFAP’s background AFAP is an independent non-profit group created by a partnership of African development organizations. It builds on the work of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development

Fertilizer storage Programme (CAADP), a framework for achieving ambitious agricultural development goals put in place by African nations and leaders. “CAADP is African-owned and African-driven,” says AFAP Vice President Richard Mkandawire, an architect of the CAADP agenda. “National governments and regional communities have defined priorities and frameworks and the international community is coming on board.” The organizations that contributed to founding AFAP are: • New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD); • Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); • International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC); • African Development Bank (AFDB); • Agricultural Market Development Trust (AGMARK).

Getting involved with AFAP ! The African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) is seeking industry specialists and companies with a passion for encouraging sustainable fertilizer markets that will grow Africa’s agricultural sector and enhance food security. This new, independent non-profit group would like to hear from dedicated experts and organizations willing to share their skills in these fields: • Purchasing • Demand planning • Processing, blending, engineering • Market evaluations • Feasibility studies • Agronomy • Marketing and sales • Distribution • Channel development For more information on how to get involved, contact Paul Makepeace, info@afap-partnership.org, www.afap-partnership.org.

So far, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has committed to providing AFAP with 25 million USD to establish a regional fertilizer and agribusiness development unit, coordinate with partners, and begin direct financial, technical and managerial support to the fertilizer industry in Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania. AFAP is seeking additional support, so that it can expand its operations, bringing the power of public private partnerships to smallholder farmers throughout Africa. The private sector’s innovations and contributions are critical to AFAP’s success. AFAP welcomes inquiries and proposals for growing African fertilizer markets.

Contact Jason Scarpone President and CEO African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) jscarpone@afap-partnership.org

www.afap-partnership.org

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 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 Contributions We invite your contributions of letters, documents, articles, photographs, etc. Director General of IFA: Luc M. Maene Editor-in-Chief: Morgane Danielou Managing Editor and layout: 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 2012 Printed with vegetable-based ink by Point44 on paper from sustainably managed forests.