Improved nutrient use and manure management in Africa

Scaling up agronomic technologies and practices for African farming systems has the potential to benefit low-input systems in becoming more productive while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This policy brief provides an overview of soil management and fertility enhancement using organic fertilizers including manure. Strengthening technical capacity of agricultural extension should be prioritized, parallel to coordinated research on soil information systems. Reducing GHG while increasing productivity requires a combination of organic and mineral fertilizers; climate-smart technologies; legume-cereal rotations; agroforestry, and applying the right source of fertilizer, the right amount, at the right time, in the right place (www. ipni.net/4R)