Category: Featured

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January 14, 2026

Unlocking Africa’s Food Systems: Why Phosphorus Management Is Central to Sustainable Intensification

Phosphorus deficiency severely limits crop productivity in Africa, threatening food security and sustainability. Current application rates are far below global needs, requiring a five-fold increase. Solutions include improving fertilizer access, reducing supply chain costs, and adopting 4R Nutrient Stewardship for efficient, context-specific phosphorus use to restore soil health and resilience.
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January 14, 2026

Enhancing Global Phosphorus Efficiency Along the Mining–Use–Recovery Pathway

Innovative strategies to improve phosphorus efficiency along the mining–use–recovery pathway are highlighted through the approaches developed by OCP Group and UM6P’s Geology & Sustainable Mining Institute. Key measures include advanced orebody modeling for selective extraction, sensor-based ore sorting, water recycling, and desalination. Near-zero-waste mining creates value from low-grade ores and legacy waste that are integrated with circular economy principles and mine rehabilitation. These approaches offer a roadmap for sustainable phosphate management and environmental stewardship.
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January 14, 2026

Managing Phosphorus for Profitable and Sustainable Crop Production in Africa

Phosphorus is vital for crop productivity in Africa but limited by low soil reserves, strong fixation, and poor recovery. The article emphasizes improving phosphorus use efficiency through 4R Nutrient Stewardship, soil management, and crop breeding innovations. Site-specific strategies and integrated approaches are essential for sustainable yields and food security.
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January 14, 2026

Innovating Locally Adapted Solutions for Sustainable Phosphorus Use in Africa

An Integrated Phosphorus 4R Management Framework that links source, rate, timing and placement considerations to productivity, profitability, and long term sustainability is proposed for increasing P use and enabling efficient and sustainable phosphorus management.
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January 14, 2026

Zinc Fertilization Strategies for Enhanced Rice Production in Tanzania

The study evaluates zinc fertilization strategies to improve rice yield in Tanzania’s Kilombero district. Field trials compared Zn sources, rates, and application methods under rain-fed and irrigated conditions. Soil-applied ZnSO. and foliar ZnSO. within a NPKS fertilizer blend were most optimal in terms of yield and in addressing the issues of widespread Zn deficiency and food security. A participatory approach enabled researchers and farmers to work together and collect data and observe rice performance under different zinc and microbial fertilizer rates and regimes in Kisawasawa village, Kilombero District, Tanzania.
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January 14, 2026

Short-term Effects of Legume-based Cropping Systems and Residue Management on Soil Fertility in Malawi

Researchers focused on the short-term effects of legume planting pattern and residue management practices (i.e., incorporation immediately after harvest and mulching) on soil fertility status in contrasting environments and soils in Malawi. Results revealed substantial increase in soil nitrogen and phosphorus which would eventually improve soil health and reduce mineral fertilizer requirements for subsequent crops.
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January 14, 2026

Nitrogen Dynamics under Cowpea–Pigeon Pea Intercropping and Residue Management in Malawi’s Drought Prone Areas

Soil nitrogen depletion remains a critical barrier to sustainable crop production in Malawi’s drought-prone smallholder farming systems. This study investigated the influence of cowpea– pigeon pea intercropping and residue management on soil nitrogen dynamics. Result show strengthened nitrogen cycling through biological nitrogen fixation, improved residue quality, and increased residue biomass. This integrated approach provides a climate-smart pathway to restore soil fertility and enhance the resilience and productivity of smallholder farming systems in Malawi’s drought-affected regions.
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January 14, 2026

When Less is More: Optimizing Fertilizer Use under Water Deficit to Enhance Olive Tree Productivity and Resilience

Failing to adjust fertilization may worsen the impact of water stress. A Moroccan olive study reveals that reasonable reductions in NPK supply under deficit irrigation can sustain high yield levels, fruit physical quality, and olive oil composition. The oil produced under these conditions was richer in health-promoting compounds thus boosting long-term value. The key for growers facing climate change is finding a sustainable balance that enhances tree resilience without severely compromising yield and oil quality.
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July 15, 2025

Our Current Issue

Precision Nutrient Management topics including: Implementing the African Professional Certified Agronomy Advisory Program; Comparing Laboratory and Remote Sensing Methods for Soil Nutrients; Advancing Agricultural Sustainability through Collaborative Data Growth; and more inside!
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July 15, 2025

Precision Agriculture in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Precision agriculture (PA) in Africa, though still emerging, holds great promise for transforming smallholder farming.
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July 15, 2025

A Call for Action: Implementing the African Professional Certified Agronomy Advisory

The emerging African Professional Certified Agronomy Advisory Program (PCAAP) is an APNI initiative aimed at providing farmers with access to high quality agronomy advisory services.
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July 15, 2025

Lessons from On-farm Experimentation on Climate-Smart Management for Upland Rice in Uganda

A farmer-led field study in western Uganda revealed varied rice yield gap reduction with nutrient application to major upland soil types and different responses to the impacts of climate variability due to moisture stress.
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July 15, 2025

Advancing Agricultural Sustainability through Collaborative Data Growth

The Open Data Crop Nutrition Platform (https://cropnutrientdata.net), a collaboration between the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), Agmatix, and the Consortium for Precision Crop Nutrition (CPCN), continues to make strides in supporting agricultural sustainability.
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July 15, 2025

Comparing Laboratory and Remote Sensing Methods for Soil Nutrient Assessment in Northern Nigeria

Remote sensing shows significant potential for scaling the assessment, and mapping, soil fertility across African agricultural landscapes. Still, the path forward likely lies in an integrated approach that combines the power of remote sensing for broad-scale assessment and planning with targeted laboratory analysis.
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July 15, 2025

On-farm Experimentation Process Triggers Kenyan Farmers’ Zeal to Test Technologies in Maize Systems

There is need to rethink the process of conducting on-farm research to better foster knowledge transfer and innovation. Through a participatory on-farm experimentation (OFE) approach, this study was carried out to validate a package of soil moisture and fertilizer nitrogen management practices, and to track farmer adoption of better agronomic practices.
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