FAO promotes 4Rs Stewardship

LAHORE: The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is promoting the use of appropriately balanced inputs and right fertiliser at the right rate at the right time in the right place (4Rs) in partnership with the private sector.
In this regard, FAO in partnership with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), the US Department for Agriculture (USDA), and International Potash Institute (IPI) convened a one-day workshop on the “Contribution of balanced use of fertilisers towards food security” on October 6, 2015 in Sahiwal.
The objective of the workshop was to highlight the significance of balanced fertilisation and soil health for sustainable agriculture and food security.
The workshop promoted the use of appropriate balanced inputs and 4Rs (Right fertilizer at the Right rate at the Right time in the Right place) Nutrient Stewardship in partnership with the private sector, including fertiliser and seed companies (FFC, Engro, ICI, and Pioneer Seeds Limited), wholesalers/retailers, farmer associations and academia.
The participants of the workshop also assessed the use of fertiliser management practices at farm-gate level with special focus on maize.
FAO is conducting a series of such workshops across the country to promote the use of balanced fertilisers and the slogan of 4Rs.
Similar workshops have been conducted in Multan, Karachi, and Lahore this year for the cotton, mango, and rice growers.
This workshop brought together more than 70 participants from PARC, National Fertilizer Development Centre (NFDC), provincial agricultural Maize and Millet Research Institute, information and extension departments, academia, fertiliser industry, farmer associations, ICI, seed companies and research institutes, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation to share experiences, case studies and initiatives.
The inaugural session was chaired by Dr Nisar Ahmad- Former Chief National Fertiliser Development Centre (NFDC), Planning Commission of Pakistan. In his address to the participants he emphasised on the significance of 4R Nutrient Stewardship for sustainable agricultural intensification in the country with special reference to maize production.
Dr Waqar Ahmad, Soil Expert, FAO, gave a detailed presentation on the project overview and objectives of the workshop.
He highlighted the significance of the fertiliser use assessment at the farmer gate level, and the important role of public private sectors to enhance quality produce. “FAO is working on a baseline atlas of current soil fertility practices, disaggregated by farm size and cropping systems in Pakistan.
The atlas will help to understand required soil fertility management changes for sustainable intensification. Consequently, appropriate balanced inputs and 4Rs would be promoted.”
He further said that “it is imperative to include farmer’s experiences in devising fertiliser management strategy for sustainable crop production”.
The invited speakers from the public and private sector talked about fertiliser use practices, impact on crop productivity, and environment.
The maize growers also expressed their concerns about the commodity prices. It was noted that the farmers were keen to adopt the philosophy of 4Rs, however, spiralling cost of fertiliser and their commodity prices were the prime concerns.
A gap exists between the recommendations given by different institutions as well as those practiced by the farmers.
The consensus was that this information on 4Rs should be compiled, synthesised, and disseminated to the farming communities.
The overall role of FAO in bringing together farmers, commodity experts and academia was appreciated by the maize-potato growers and private sector.