Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
sector (farmers and agro-input dealers) so that they are prepared to assume their respec-
tive roles and to engage in interactions with the public sector. Ultimately, successful inter-
actions between the public-private stakeholders are critical for increased agricultural
productivity; however, increased productivity alone is not sufficient to move the small-
holder to profitable farming. Because demand for mineral fertilizers is derived from the
demand for agricultural products, these farmers must be integrated into farmer organiza-
tions and agriculture value chains to have impact in the marketplace. In summary, the
only way forward for smallholders is to intensify agricultural production using produc-
tivity-enhancing technologies to boost yields that support increased food availability at
the household level and larger marketable surpluses that generate higher incomes.
3.6 CONCLUSIONS
Global agriculture is facing major challenges and changes as it prepares to meet the
increased food demands of a growing population that will be characterized by increas-
ing wealth and urbanization. Despite this shift, smallholders in developing countries
are expected to continue to play a crucial role in food security for the foreseeable future.
Growth in agriculture has and will continue to be an important part of development
transformation in many countries. Agricultural growth can stimulate the economy
through the provision of capital, labor, and foreign exchange to finance and fuel growth
in nonagricultural sectors (Fan et al. 2013). Therefore, development efforts must place
greater emphasis on improving smallholders' productivity and sustainability of land
and water. For the smallholder farmers, access to and judicious use of current and
new fertilizer products will provide the basis for increased productivity and natural
resource protection. These fertilizers will not only be expected to increase yields and
maintain soil fertility, but they must be designed to improve the nutritional quality of
crops and reduce nutrient losses to the environment. Addressing these needs will result
in increased and more efficient crop production with multiple benefits. These benefits
include the opportunity for some smallholders to transition to intensive commercial
farming, significantly increased production in developing regions in response to dra-
matically increasing food demand, and protection of natural resources resulting from
more efficient and sustainable use of land and water.
Public policies and actions that support farmers' access to key inputs at reasonable
prices and functioning markets and opportunities for agribusiness growth will be
crucial for moving smallholder farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture
and providing an opportunity for smallholders worldwide to escape the poverty trap.
REFERENCES
Baanante, C.A., and D.T. Hellums. 1998. An analysis of the potential demand for phosphate fertil-
izers: Sources of change and projections to 2025. Paper presented at 11th Annual Workshop
of Fertilizer and Lime Center, Palmerston North, New Zealand, February 11-12.
Barak, P., B.O. Jobe, A.R. Krueger, L.A. Peterson, and D.A. Laird. 1997. Effects of long-term
soil acidification due to nitrogen inputs in Wisconsin. Plant Soil 197: 61-69.
Bationo, A., B. Waswa, J. Kihara, and J. Kimetu. 2007. Advances in Integrated Soil Fertility
Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities. Springer, New York.
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