Agricultural success from Africa: the case of fertilizer tree systems in southern Africa (Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe)

Abstract

In response to the declining soil fertility in southern Africa and the negative effects that this leads to, such as food insecurity besides other developmental challenges, fertilizer tree systems (FTS) were developed as technological innovation to help smallholder farmers to build soil organic matter and fertility in a sustainable manner. In this paper, we trace the historical background and highlight the developmental phases and outcomes of the technology. The synthesis shows that FTS are inexpensive technologies that significantly raise crop yields, reduce food insecurity and enhance environmental services and resilience of agro-ecologies. Many of the achievements recorded with FTS can be traced to some key factors: the availability of a suite of technological options that are appropriate in a range of different household and ecological circumstances, partnership between multiple institutions and disciplines in the development of the technology, active encouragement of farmer innovations in the adaptation process and proactive engagement of several consortia of partner institutions to scale up the technology in farming communities. It is recommended that smallholder farmers would benefit if rural development planners emphasize the merits of different fertility replenishment approaches and taking advantage of the synergy between FTS and mineral fertilizers rather than focusing on 'organic vs. inorganic' debates.

Environmental impacts and constraints associated with the production of major food crops in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

“…These include improved soil and water conservation methods (e.g., Fowler and Rockström 2001;Hobbs et al 2008;Erenstein et al 2012), integrated nutrient management (e.g., Vanlauwe et al 2010;Timsina et al 2010Timsina et al , 2011, the retention and use of biodiversity on crop fields (Mapfumo et al 2005;Snapp et al 2010) and the improved management of farm fields with different nutrient status (e.g., Giller et al 2006;Tittonell et al 2008). Across Sub-Saharan Africa, many of the more-traditional maize systems maintain productivity while reducing abiotic and biotic environmental impacts by intercropping or rotating leguminous trees and shrubs, and annual legumes with maize (Snapp et al 1998(Snapp et al , 2010Waddington et al 2007;Ajayi et al 2011;Pretty et al 2011), or by incorporating legume weed residues into croplands (Mapfumo et al 2005). The expansion of such practices should be encouraged.…”

The role of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions in the uptake of agricultural and agroforestry innovations among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa

“…In addition, agroforestry is known for providing benefits to the environment by providing various ecosystem services (Sileshi et al 2007, Bhagwat et al 2008, Jose 2009, Nair et al 2009). For example, Ajayi et al (2011) have shown that fertilizer tree systems are inexpensive technologies that significantly raise crop yields, reduce food insecurity and enhance environmental services and resilience of agro-ecologies in southern Africa. Although the benefits of agroforestry are well known and various innovations are being used by farmers throughout the tropics, widespread adoption has not occurred.…”

Agriculture: More Water and Better Farming for Improved Food Security

“…Case studies have shown that both regenerative and planted tree systems can be profitable (for examples see Ajayi et al 2007;Ajayi et al 2011;. Planted systems require more labor, not only for establishment of trees but also for management of potential competition with crops, especially when exotic fast-growing tree species are used.…”