Wednesday, November 7, 2007
249-13

Towards Improved Soil Nutrient Management for better crop production by Small-Scale farmers in Mozambique.

Ricardo M. Maria1, Domingas Dias1, Candida Cuembelo1, Sancho Cumbi1, Inácio Nhancale2, Ana Chapo2, J. Chiocho2, Felicidade Massinga2, and Russell Yost3. (1) Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique (IIAM), Caixa Postal 3658, Maputo, Mozambique, (2) Dirreção Nacional de Extensão Agrária, Maputo, Mozambique, (3) 3190 Maile Way, Room 102, St. John Building, University of Hawaii, Department of Tropical Plants & Soil Science, Honolulu, HI 96822

Soil Fertility is one of the limiting factors for food production in Mozambique (Maria and Yost, 2006; Former et al., 1998). Increasing agriculture productivity through Integrated Soil Nutrient Management Research and Integrated Decision Aids that diagnose, predict, and economically evaluate benefits of soil amendments is essential. Such tools would enable extension works and farmers to make informed decisions on soil nutrient management. Towards this goal an inventory of soil fertility status was conducted in four agroecological zones in central and northern Mozambique where agricultural activities are intensifying. Two districts in northern Mozambique and two in central Mozambique, representing different agro-ecological conditions were selected for on-farm and on-station testing of soil nutrient requirements of maize crop using decision-aids. Furthermore, on selected farmer groups maize inter-cropped with legumes was tested to access the contribution of legume crops to maize yield. Experiments included maize with groundnut, maize with cowpea, maize with pigeon pea, and maize with fertilizer NPK application (low rate). Soil samples from experimental sites were collected and analyzed for soil chemical and physical properties prior to establishment of the experiment and after the experiment. Agronomic and socio-economic data were recorded and analyzed. Farmer-training workshops on integrated soil nutrient management were conducted in each province. The aim of the workshop was to ensure effective participation of field extension workers in on-going Integrated Soil Nutrient Management program under Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa (SOFECSA) and Soil Management Collaborative Research Support Program (SM-CRSP).