Author: APNI Editor
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Robusta Coffee Value Intensification: The Case for Good Agronomy
Optimizing value per harvested area should be a common goal but a host of factors can prevent it. At the farm-level, coffee farmers are limited by their available resources, knowledge at hand, and suitability/predictability of their growing environment.
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Optimizing Split-Fertilizer Applications for Maize in Nigeria’s Mid-Belt
Researchers evaluated the effects of optimizing types and amounts of fertilizer, based on national and regional fertilizer recommendations, on soil characteristics, nutrient use efficiency, and maize production in the mid-belt region of Nigeria.
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2024 Annual Photo Contest Results
Once again, it’s our pleasure to be able to announce the results of our annual photo contest! We are pleased to see the continued interest in this forum with submissions coming in from across the Continent. The contest organizers are grateful for your participation.
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A 4R Framework for Climate Finance: A Pathway for Effective Climate Finance Allocation
Climate change has fundamentally transformed the global economic landscape. It is a paradigm shift, and its effects transcend all sectors, with agriculture being one of the most severely affected due to its sensitivity to climate fluctuations.
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Adaptation of a Conventional Seeder to a No-tillage Seeder: A Case Study of Al Moutmir-UM6P Sustainable Agriculture Mechanization Initiative
Faced with the need for more resilient and sustainable solutions, the conversion of existing conventional seed drills into direct seeding drills seems to be an economical and pragmatic solution. This innovative approach makes direct seeding accessible to a greater number of farmers and makes the most of equipment already available in the field.
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Excel Africa Award and Fellowship Recipients for 2024
Our Excel Africa initiative is aimed at fostering advancements in nutrient management and agronomic practices across the African continent. It seeks to identify, support and celebrate outstanding achievements in crop nutrition research and outreach—acknowledging the pivotal role they play in enhancing food security and sustainable agricultural practices.
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Share your Snapshots: A New On-farm Experimentation Season Begins
Caroline Wawira (left) and Lucy Kinya (right) are applying diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer with calibrated dollop cups to ensure the right pre-plant fertilizer application rate is provided to give their maize crop the best start.
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Inside this Issue – 2024 #1
This issue provides us with an opportunity to feature a set of carbon-themed research articles originating from invited delegates of the 9th International Symposium on Soil Organic Matter held during 26-31 May 2024, at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguérir, Morocco. Notably, this was the first time this conference was held in Africa!
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A Case Study on Biomass Assessment in a Semi-Arid Olive Rainfed System in Morocco
Thanks to its potential life span of hundreds of years, olive can develop great biomass and sequester large amounts of carbon (C). It may therefore play a critical role in reducing atmospheric C and improving farmer livelihoods by providing additional revenue from C credits.
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Ask an APNI Expert: Can we estimate the fertility status of soil without knowing the plant nutrient status?
In short, the answer is yes, you can estimate the fertility status of soil without knowing the plant nutrient status. Traditionally this can be done through soil analysis, which provides an index of the plant availability of soil nutrients through a standardized test from a lab. Other soil tests can assess properties such as soil pH, cation exchange capacity, and organic matter content, which all contribute to the soil’s potential to supply the right balance of nutrients at rates that meet the demands of a productive crop.
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Improving the Carbon Balance of Cattle Grazing Systems in Madagascar
Climate change is a global issue having significant effects on the grazing systems in Madagascar. In the Boeny region, extensive cattle farming based on natural grazing is at risk of forage shortages. Working with stakeholders across the system, this research assessed the vulnerability and adaptive potential of farms by studying farmers’ preferences, carbon (C) sources and C-stock positions, resource flows, and system management methods.
