Transfer, Evaluation and Dissemination of an Innovative Fertilizer Management Tool (Nutrient Expert®) for increasing crop yields and farmers’ income in Eastern Nepal

Rice, maize, and wheat are the most important food crops of Nepal. The average yields of these crops are low and there is opportunity to improve the yield and profitability for farmers growing these crops through balanced and adequate use of plant nutrients.

Blanket fertilizer recommendations for rice, wheat and maize in Nepal results in over- or under-use of nutrients, and poor overall nutrient use efficiency. To address the issue of improper fertilizer use among farmers, farmer participatory trials on the evaluation and transfer of Nutrient Expert® (NE)-based fertilizer recommendation were initiated for enhancing productivity of rice, maize and wheat in smallholder farms in the eastern Terai region of Nepal.