| A two days Workshop on Integrated Soil Fertility Management Organized |
The REFOOTURE-OTIPAVA project has conducted research on the effects of ISFM on methods of composting, rate of application of organic and chemical fertilizers and its effect on crop productivity. The results indicate that ISFM can enhance nutrient use efficiency, improve crop yields, lower production costs and protect soil and environment from degradation.
The REFOOTURE project and other knowledge institutes shared their findings on the IFSM at a two days’ workshop with various stakeholders. The workshop confirmed that the evidence from different sources was consistent and could be used to enhance the extension system in a tailored and effective way. The workshop also focused on how to promote Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) as a crucial innovation for transforming the Regenerative Inclusive Food System (RIFS) using customized extension as pathways of change. The participants developed a plan of action and assigned the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. The ISFM directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture will coordinate the implementation of the workshop outcomes, with assistance from MoA extension department, EIAR, Regional Agricultural Research Institutes, ATI, GiZ and SWRE. The workshop achieved the following outcomes and key recommendation for implementation:
- to revise the national ISFM guideline to incorporate the ‘One timad’ package and the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizer,
- to assess the existing regulatory frameworks for organic fertilizer market and develop the required implementation guidelines and awareness raising activities,
- to adjust the existing extension on ISFM to the diverse agroecological and socioeconomic contexts, and
- to test the adjusted ISFM package and learn from the experience for broader scaling.
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