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DISCUSSION No. 147 • FSN Forum digest No. 1333


Online consultation for developing the Code of Conduct for the Management of Fertilizers

until 11 February 2018





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Dear Members,
Having entered the last week of the Online consultation for developing the Code of Conduct for the Management of Fertilizers (CoCoFe)<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/discussions/CoCoFe>, we would like to share a further update on the comments received.
Let us also encourage you to take advantage of the remaining days to post your ideas and to help make the process of developing the CoCoFe as inclusive as possible.
Your input is indeed necessary to allow the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS) to better frame the multifaceted needs of all stakeholders who would use the CoCoFe or be impacted by the use of the CoCoFe.
For the introduction to this consultation, the guiding questions and the full versions of the comments received so far, please refer to the webpage<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/discussions/CoCoFe>, which is available in English<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/discussions/CoCoFe>, French<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/fr/activities/discussions/CoCoFe> and Spanish<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/es/activities/discussions/CoCoFe>.
To take part, you can post your comments online upon registration<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/user/register> or send them to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.
We look forward to keep learning from you!
Your FSN Forum team










CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED

[icon]FAO Publications Unit

The FAO Publications Unit shares a selection of publications that provide further insight on fertilizers and soil management.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8653>



[icon]Aklilu Nigussie, Ethiopian Institutes of Agricultural Research, Ethiopia

Aklilu shares his thoughts on the objectives of the CoCoFe arguing that they should aim at improving soil fertility and food production rather than simply maintaining current levels. He also proposes the inclusion of animal health and the elimination of toxicities of food plants caused by inorganic fertilizer application.
Read the contribution <http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8632>



[icon]Dr. Amanullah, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan

Dr. Amanullah stresses the need for UN agencies to address the issue of high fertilizer prices, which in developing countries is often paired with low soil fertility.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8633>



[icon]David Ojo, NIHORT, Nigeria

David highlights the fragility of many tropical soils calling for particular support and provision of information at local level.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8634>



[icon]John Conway, Royal Agricultural University, United Kingdom

John suggests to consider extension officers, agronomists and other fertiliser advisers as the main audience of the CoCoFe and to expand the coverage to all nutrient materials. Given the lack of extension workers in many parts of the world, private companies should be involved in providing fertilizer information at the point of sale.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8635>



[icon]Philippe Eveillard, Union des Industries de la fertilisation (UNIFA), France

The Union des Industries de la Fertilisation shares detailed comments on the questions posed and argues that the CoCoFe's scope could be expanded to cover measures aimed at improving nutrition and soil fertility such as the use of pulses as green manure.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8636> (in French)



[icon]Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India

Suresh shares information on the governance of fertilizer use in India as per the 1985 Fertilizer (Control) Order (FCO).
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8637>



[icon]E.V.S. Prakasa Rao, Independent Researcher, India

E.V.S. invites to consider indigenously available materials that could be incorporated with fertilizers to enhance their use efficiency as well as reduce adverse effects on environment.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8638>



[icon]Dhanya Praveen, Environment Protection Training and Research Institute, India

Dhanya shares the following suggestions:
·         Provide incentives for sustainable Farm management especially for maintaining diversified cropping systems
·         Reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions due to overuse of fertilizers.
·         Use GPS tracking to monitor emissions and other impacts of overuse of fertilizers.
·         Use traditional knowledge on locally adapted varieties and for producing on-farm fertilizers
·         Scale up organic agriculture as part of Climate Smart Agriculture initiatives also at local level.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8639>



[icon]Mireia Llorente, University of Extremadura, Spain

Mireia highlight the difference between soil management and fertilization arguing that sustainable agriculture should primarily be achieved through the proper management of soil resources, with mineral fertilization being used only as supplementary measure.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8640> (in Spanish)



[icon]J G Ray, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, India

JG highlights the importance of a proper application of fertilizers, something that is lacking due to limited education in some rural areas.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8641>



[icon]Lydia Mhoro, Sokoine University of Agriculture, United Republic of Tanzania

Lydia suggests that in order minimize the side effects of fertilizer use, the following should be included in the CoCoFe:
·         emphasize the quality of the carrier materials used by fertilizer manufacturers;
·         include the application time and method for a specific fertilizer based on their solubility;
·         soil testing before fertilizer application should be emphasized to minimize overdosing;
·         organic fertilizers should be integrated with industrial fertilizers.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8642>



[icon]José Antonio Cayuela, CSIC, Spain

José argues that the CoCoFe structure should reflect the importance of the different types of fertilizers (both synthetic and organic) and that the structure of the 'Good agricultural practices for fertilization', developed in countries such as Spain could provide a good blueprint for the CoCoFe.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8643>



[icon]Brajendra Parmar, ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad India

In his first comment, Brajendra shares an example from India where Government action led to a substantial improvement in the use of nutrients.
Read the first contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8644>
In his second comment, Brajendra stresses the importance of sound soil health management as a necessary starting point for the proper usage of fertilizers.
Read the second contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8645>
In his third comment, Brajendra expands on the previous argument detailing the roles of the different players in properly and sustainably managing soils.
Read the third contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8646>



[icon]Dick Tinsley, Colorado State University, United States of America

In his first comment, Dick highlights the financial limitation present in the public sector of many developing country, stressing the importance of the private sector for handling the distribution of fertilizers.
Read the first contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8647>
In his second post, Dick warns against equating illiteracy with lack of intelligence, stating that many illiterate farmers are fully capable of taking informed and sensible decisions.
Read the second contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8651>



[icon]Elisabeth Bömcke, Fertilizers Europe, Belgium

Fertilizers Europe shares suggestion on how to improve the proposed objectives of the CoCoFe and proposes the addition of two new ones, namely "Improving food quality and nutrition security through optimal use of plant nutrients" and "Managing fertilizers to maintain or increase soil structure and fertility".
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8649>



[icon]Muhammad Riaz, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan

To counter escalating fertilizer prices, Muhammad advocates the use of the 4R approach i.e. right nutrient source, right rate of fertilizer application, right time of application and right place.
Read the contribution<http://www.fao.org/fsnforum/comment/8650>





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