Agriculture experts introduce new crop nutrients to boost production

Use of secondary nutrients and micronutrients as fertilisers in agriculture is necessary to complement the current use of organic and micronutrient fertilisers to boost crop production, researchers have said. This is according to results of a study by the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) in collaboration with the International Fertiliser for Development Centre (IFDC). The results from on-farm trials, and demonstrations, from soil tests in various parts of the country and on various crops revealed that though the new nutrients are not used in too much quantity, production is likely to significantly increase. Demonstrations and trials are ongoing on crops such as maize, potatoes, rice, and wheat. The secondary nutrients (sulfur) and micronutrients (boron, copper, zinc) along with major nutrients can improve production, the research shows. Experts say that while farmers have been used to organic nutrients and micro-organism such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), the use of micro-organic be significant in crop production given the nature of soils in the country. Adrien Mwiseneza, a farmer from Kinoni sector in Burera District, whose plot of land was used during the trials, said results are promising on the part of land where he applied fertilisers together with new secondary nutrients and micronutrients. “The new fertilisers are likely to improve production, I have applied organic nutrients and NPK and UREA, DAP in one part and added secondary and micronutrients, the growth of maize is very different and I see that the production will also be different,” he said. “I have acquired training on how to use additional nutrients and I am ready to train others on how to apply them,” he added. Other farmers also said they are upbeat over the increase of production. Landoird Semukera, in charge of research and technology at IFDC- CATALIST II, said secondary nutrients and micronutrients were not used in the country as only NPK and other macro-organics were used. He said that nutrients such as zinc sulfate, baron, ammonium sulfate, copper sulfate among others, are applied. He said maize production in general stands at between 4 and 4.5 tonnes per hectare but after applying new nutrients it can reach 6.5 tonnes per hectare. Rice production can increase up to between 30 per cent and 50 per cent; for the case of irish potatoes, the production will increase to 2 tonnes per hectare, he added. For beans, production can increase from 800 kilogrammes per hectare to 1.5 tonnes per hectare or above depending on the type of beans. Officials said the new secondary and micronutrients will help boost production of various crops. Under the third Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture (PSTAIII), the Ministry of Agriculture’s target is to see the sector growing at 8.5 per cent per year. Achieving this ambitious target calls for technology change at the farm level, according to Prof Jean Jacques Mbonigba Muhinda, RAB director general. There is also a need for over two million small-scale farmers in the country to get access to technology, including new varieties, and learning how to manage organic and inorganic fertilisers to maintain soil health, he noted. The use of inorganic fertilisers has increased from 5,000 to 32,000 MT per year. Even so, the use average has been only 35 kilogrammes per hectare of arable land over the past seven years. Muhinda noted that one of the drawbacks to crop production is the nature of Rwanda’s soils which are difficult to manage. Soils in much of the country are said to be acidic and are low in essential micronutrients. Thus, standard fertiliser recommendations for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are not enough. Agro dealers and fertiliser importers will be required to work on ways will see new secondary and micronutrients easily imported and distributed to farmers. Officials noted that fixing soil problems will be a learning process not only for farmers but also for the extension and research community, fertiliser importers, and agro-dealers. The first trial season started in 2014 and trials are currently being conducted in 27 districts of the country. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Agriculture experts introduce new crop nutrients to boost production