1 min
In this 21st century, there are different planting media that we could grow our crops in, but in all developing countries, soil has been the main planting medium for smallholder farmers in cultivating various crops. Over the years, soil fertility has been on the decline largely due to poor practices and lack of requisite knowledge of the soil itself.
The majority of the farmers have little or no information about their soil, since no soil analysis has been done due to costs, no knowledge of soil tests and soil laboratories are only found in the cities where farmers have to travel long distances. Sadly, there has been little effort to correct these challenges.
Therefore, these challenges have had a negative impact on crop productivity for the farmers. Firstly, yield reduction has become a common reality amongst many of the farmers who hardly invest in their soil. Also, cost inefficiency happens when these farmers apply fertilizer (organic or chemical) using trial and error, whereas some nutrients are over supplied (trapping the availability of other nutrients) and resulting in poor yield. In other cases, we have had farmers applying only decomposed cow or poultry droppings to their soil, which most times are insufficient in quantities to supply the required nutrients to achieve high crop productivity. Sadly, the impact had put the sector on a standstill for too long. Therefore, to change the narrative of poor crop productivity in most developing countries, sufficient investment should be mobilized towards improving soil productivity.
Investment mobilized should be targeted towards establishment of mini or mobile soil laboratories that can be deployed to the rural communities, where farmers can access soil test services at affordable prices. Soil test results will help the farmers have better understanding about their soil and its other characteristics. In addition, beyond training and capacity building of farmers on soil fertility and management, we need to invest in projects that aim to provide sufficient soil amendments and materials to build soil structures and increase microorganisms activities in the soil. Also, encourage adoption of practices that help reduce soil erosion and improve soil aeration.
Improving soil fertility is a long term investment that requires targeted interventions and patient capital, which farmers alone cannot afford. There is a need for the government and other stakeholders to prioritize soil improvement projects. This is an urgent need that would contribute immensely towards achieving food security and shared prosperity for the farmers. Therefore, beyond the many talks, we need to take action to lay the foundation for productivity in this sector. Let us walk the talk and NOW is the right time.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
Therefore, these challenges have had a negative impact on crop productivity for the farmers. Firstly, yield reduction has become a common reality amongst many of the farmers who hardly invest in their soil. Also, cost inefficiency happens when these farmers apply fertilizer (organic or chemical) using trial and error, whereas some nutrients are over supplied (trapping the availability of other nutrients) and resulting in poor yield. In other cases, we have had farmers applying only decomposed cow or poultry droppings to their soil, which most times are insufficient in quantities to supply the required nutrients to achieve high crop productivity. Sadly, the impact had put the sector on a standstill for too long. Therefore, to change the narrative of poor crop productivity in most developing countries, sufficient investment should be mobilized towards improving soil productivity.
Investment mobilized should be targeted towards establishment of mini or mobile soil laboratories that can be deployed to the rural communities, where farmers can access soil test services at affordable prices. Soil test results will help the farmers have better understanding about their soil and its other characteristics. In addition, beyond training and capacity building of farmers on soil fertility and management, we need to invest in projects that aim to provide sufficient soil amendments and materials to build soil structures and increase microorganisms activities in the soil. Also, encourage adoption of practices that help reduce soil erosion and improve soil aeration.
Improving soil fertility is a long term investment that requires targeted interventions and patient capital, which farmers alone cannot afford. There is a need for the government and other stakeholders to prioritize soil improvement projects. This is an urgent need that would contribute immensely towards achieving food security and shared prosperity for the farmers. Therefore, beyond the many talks, we need to take action to lay the foundation for productivity in this sector. Let us walk the talk and NOW is the right time.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
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