The Soil Research for Development Platform for Sharing Data and Information on Agronomic Trials to...

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The Soil Research for Development Platform for Sharing Data and Information on Agronomic Trials to Develop

Options for Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

E. Jeroen Huising, Bernard Vanlauwe, Nteranya Sanginga, Kenton Dashiell

Agricultural Data Interest Group (IGAD) Pre-meeting


The Sub-Sahara Africa contextNeed to attain food security, economic growth and resilience to climate

changeRole of agriculture of paramount importance

The context: • Smallholder agriculture; semi-subsistence farming • Low crop yields (“1 ton/ha agriculture”)• Fertilizer consumption is low (8-10 kg/ha on avg.)• Degraded land • Limited resources (available fertile land)

Need for sustainable agricultural intensification: Yield increase by using sustainable integrated management practices to sustain and improve soil fertility; can only be achieved through increase in

fertilizer consumption


Soil Research for DevelopmentA lot of efforts have and are being made, but little effective use of the data and information• Many research efforts undertaken, but much more is needed (on

ISFM) • Better sharing of data

and information• Lack of capacity to

analyze, synthesize and interpret results

• Poor delivery and dissemination of technologies (extension); Information does not reach the farmer


TSBF platform intervention areasBetter use of agronomic data to be able to provide

recommendations for management practices for sustainable use of soil resources and improvement of agricultural

production• Land degradation and soil

ecosystem sustainability• Development of technologies

and practices for integrated management of soil health and fertility

• Last mile delivery and dissemination


Strengthen linkages between research, development and policy

Align research and development efforts and resources towards a more sustainable use of the soil resources

Better targeting of research in soil fertility and soil health, and in response to demands of the development partners

Better use of research findings for development (delivery and dissemination of technologies) and for policy development and designing policy interventions).

Research in Development

Point in case:Fertilizer subsidy programs in

SSA countries


Strengthen soil research for developmentPromote innovations in soil health and soil fertility management for sustainable

intensification of smallholder agricultural production systems

Build on research in agroecology, soil biology, sustainable soil management, soil fertility and ecosystem services

Test technologies under various agro-ecological conditions and develop ISFM practices that apply to various crop and cropping systems and farming conditions in the targeted areas.


Strengthen partnershipsProviding a platform Exchange of data and

information Discussion and exchange of

ideas: Meta-data standards, Indicators for monitoring an

evaluation, Data sharing policy, Data analyses framework, Research for development agenda

Coordination of activities, collaboration in regional R4D programs Network of soil and plant analytical labs; developing data infrastructure,

developing research capacity


Spatially explicit and evidence based recommendations

Agronomic trial data:Various types of trials

Multiple locationsDifferent crops

Different technologies

Analysis and interpretation:Compile data

AnalyzeSynthesize

Survey and inventory dataSoil &Agro-ecology

Land use and agronomicFarming systems

Household survey data

ISFM RecommendationsPredict

Test & Evaluate


OFRA

COMPRO

Improve discovery of data

N2Africa

GYGAAfSIS

Africa RISING

TAMASA

AfNET

CSHC

• Conduct survey / questionnaire• Collect information on data sources (existing databases,

ISFM project• Allow to post information on data sets on TSBF Platform

website• Gather information on Internet accessible searchable

databaseNeeds definition

of ISFM


Improve access and fitness for use

Documentation• Ensure proper documentation

of the data• Develop meta-data standards• Endorsement and adoption of

the meta-data standards by partners of the platform

• Maintain meta-data catalogue accessible through the internet

Meta-data 1. Descriptive/summarizing

(title, project, ISFM component, etc.)

2. Technical metadata (research context, trial design, treatment etc.)

3. Structural metadata (how the data is organized/structured

4. Administrative (restriction to use, storage location, etc.) Respect cardinalities


To include:• Indicator of success/ evaluation

criteria: Agronomic Efficiency (of fertilizer application); Nutrient Use Efficiency

• Reference for evaluating response to treatments: Attainable yield and control yields using good agronomic practice

• Setting targets and economic evaluation

Tools and methods for prediction and recommendations on ISFM• From simple, less accurate and

specific, low data demand, based on empirical data (e.g. fertilizer recommendation based on soil test values

• To complex, deterministic models, high data demands, specific and accurate (e.g. decision support tools based simulation models)

Improve interpretation and synthesis

Data Analysis Framework


Improve communication, dissemination and delivery

• Package and fine-tune information of research findings to various target audiences:– Fertilizer industry (product development)– Development organizations and extension services

(dissemination of technologies; targeting interventions)– Research community– Policy and decision makers (natural resources management,

fertilizer subsidies, climate change) • Data and Information needs assessment


Harmonize data collection

To ensure that data collection fulfills minimum requirements that will enhance the use of the data Protocols for agronomic trials (design, sampling and

measurement) for the various types of crops and cropping systems

Data collection templates Data quality control and

error detection (allowing for) Minimum data sets


Create data infrastructure

Create data repository Partner organization create their own database

and make this accessible through the internet Link databases such that integrated search is

possible

Towards OPEN DATA;Use of open access software

and tools


Fertilizer industry

Operation of the platform Geographical focus: West and

Central Africa Build on existing networks:

African Soil Partnership Existing research networks Link to existing networks

Membership is free and voluntary Use of TSBF platform website for

communication and organize biannual conferences

Hosted by IITA

IPNI

IFDC

AFAP

Universities

National Agricultural

Research Organizations

Ministries

of Agric.

Deve

lopm

ent

orga

niza

tions

International Agricultural

Research C

enters

Extension

services

African Soil Partnership


Thank You!

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