Scaling of Maize Fertilizer Recommendations Philippines

The objective of this project is to test a model for scaling 4Rs in maize through the use of Nutrient Expert® (NE) Maize recommendations by members of smallholder cooperatives and by building capacity of farmer leaders through the use of NE. The implementation of this project is from October 2016 to December 2017 in the Philippines.

Field validation of NE Maize Philippines, through the regional offices of the Department of Agriculture, has demonstrated that it is an effective tool in providing recommendations that help farmers improve maize yields and farming profitability. The NE recommendation is tailored to field-specific conditions and includes prescriptions on the 4Rs (right source, rate, time, and place). The participating cooperatives have been identified/nominated by the project sponsor, Universal Harvester, Inc. (UHI), who is supplying fertilizers to the cooperatives. The project includes: 1) training of lead farmers in the cooperatives and agronomic staff of UHI on the use of NE and enabling them to develop recommendations to cooperative members, and 2) monitoring of the impact of NE recommendations on yield, nutrient use, and fertilizer sales.

In October 2016, a project protocol was developed and discussed with UHI. It was followed by NE training and a project briefing of 23 co-op representatives from four cooperatives. In November three co-ops were visited for farmer meetings with the development of NE recommendations and a briefing of lead farmers (i.e., cluster leaders; each cluster leader looking after 10 to 20 farmers). A total of 197 farmers participated and received NE recommendations. In December, project staff visited the field trials and 48 farmers from two cooperatives had already planted at the time. Project updates (i.e., 2 trip reports and 3 task reports) have been shared with UHI.
Scaling of maize fertilizer recommendations through smallholder cooperatives is on track.