Nutrients Flow as Affected by Cropping System and Production Niche in Smallholder Farmers of Cyabayaga Watershed

Abstract

Nutrient-balance assessments are valuable tools for both planning and monitoring the implementation of sustainable integrated soil fertility management strategies. The aim of this study was to assess nutrient flows as affected by cropping systems and production niche in soils of Cyabayaga watershed. yabayaga watershed is located in Nyagatare district, Eastern province of Rwanda. Production niches considered are homestead fields, remote hillside fields and wetland fields. Partial nutrient (N, P and K) flows were collected through a survey using MonQi structured questionnaire, administrated to a random sample of 35 farmers. There was nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) negative balances (−67.5 kg N ha −1 season −1 and −7.7 kg K ha −1 season −1 respectively) whereas phosphorous (P) balance was positive (17.4 kg P ha −1 season −1). N, P and K balances were negative in bean, maize-bean, cassava, groundnut, maize, onion, sorghum and tomato and positive in rice, banana and banana-bean. Highest amount of nutrients were significantly allocated in wetland fields while allocation of nutrients in homestead fields and remote hillside fields was almost the same. Groundnut and maize plots were experiencing highest negative nutrients balance (e.g. N balance in groundnut plot was −40.6 N ha −1 season −1). N and K balance were positive in rice and banana plots; whilst P balance was positive in banana, bean, maize, rice and tomato plots. Partial nutrients flow and balance from this study show that nutrient depletion is a problem in the study area. A special attention should be put to fertility management and alternative solution for less fertile soil (uplands in particular), especially for farm that have reduced land size. From this respect, * Corresponding author. M. Kabirigi et al. 288 conservation agriculture is the main farm management which could be recommended.

Influence of farmers’ socio-economic characteristics on nutrient flow and implications for system sustainability in smallholdings: a review

“…Furthermore, this study discovered that smallholder farmers prioritize soil fertility management for crops with high monetary value (84). According to our findings, the staple and monetary value of crops for smallholders varied by country and region within the same country based on agro-ecological characteristics.…”

“…Similarly, Haileslassie et al (68) found that in Ethiopia, crops with high monetary value, such as teff and wheat, receive more attention than crops with low profitability. Positive nutrient balances (particularly N, P, and K) were observed in Rwandan fields with high-value crops such as rice, banana, and tomato, whereas negative nutrient balances were observed in fields with maize, sorghum, cassava, onions, and ground nuts (84).…”

Nutrient balances in smallholder farms in northern Ethiopia

“…The mean full N, P and K nutrient balances of the three wealth groups in this study were similar to several research findings conducted in smallholder farming systems, which suggested that most Ethiopian soils have a negative N and K nutrient balances (Table 4). Similarly, Kabirigi, Musana, Kagabo, Mukuralinda, and Nabahungu (2016) reported a negative N and K nutrient balances in a study conducted in smallholder farms and semi-arid tropical region in Rwanda (Table 4). Moreover, this study is in line with most studies carried out in smallholder farming systems in Africa that showed a negative N and K balances (Bahr et al, 2014;van Beek et al, 2009;Guillermo et al, 2010;Kabirigi et al, 2016).…”

“…Similarly, Kabirigi, Musana, Kagabo, Mukuralinda, and Nabahungu (2016) reported a negative N and K nutrient balances in a study conducted in smallholder farms and semi-arid tropical region in Rwanda (Table 4). Moreover, this study is in line with most studies carried out in smallholder farming systems in Africa that showed a negative N and K balances (Bahr et al, 2014;van Beek et al, 2009;Guillermo et al, 2010;Kabirigi et al, 2016). This indicated that there is N depletion in both study sites and K nutrient depletion in Raya Azebo, while for P, the trend was less pronounced.…”

Plant biotechnology: A key tool to improve crop production in Rwanda

“…Rwanda's soils need chemical fertilizer inputs since some parts of the country are characterized with low quantity of inorganic matter like nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus and potassium along with the regular popular use of organic manures which are low in nutrient content (Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, 2009, 2018). In studied areas, in Rwanda, soil fertility was imbalanced and caused low yields in maize and groundnuts (Kabirigi et al, 2016). So frequent and intensive application of necessary fertilizers (N, P, and K) is to be encouraged, and it has started with distribution of agro-chemicals fertilizers rich in the organic nutrients to the local farmers to support one cow per low-income family program which involves distributing heifers to needy families and ensuring the use of both natural organic nutrients and agrochemicals for better yields of food crops by smallholder farmers (Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, 2009Resources, , 2018.…”