Managing soil fertility in Africa: Diverse settings and changing practice

TR Number

Date

2000

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

International Institute for Environment and Development

Abstract

This publication is the introductory chapter of the book, Nutrients on the move: Soil fertility dynamics in African farming systems; it summarizes the main findings of soil fertility case studies in six African countries. Key biophysical and socioeconomic constraints on production by smallholder farmers and the possibilities for improving agricultural productivity in Africa are highlighted. The case studies seek to find what is actually happening at farm and field level, how soil fertility management varies between different fields, farmers and locations, and what are the implications for interventions aimed at improving soil fertility management.

Description

Metadata only record

Keywords

Soil nutrients, Soil degradation, Green manure crops, Soil management, Soil fertility, Soil organic matter, Manure, Local knowledge, Africa, Nutrient balance, Fallowing, Mineral fertilizers, Composting, Legumes, Rock phosphate, Farm/Enterprise Scale Field Scale

Citation