FAO Seeks Funding for Nitrogen Use

May 1, 2001

Participants at a Food and Agriculture Organization consultation concluded there are many potentially effective but under-used opportunities for the expansion of "biological nitrogen fixation" (BNF) related technologies in the farming systems of developing countries, especially those in which corn, rice and wheat are the dominant crops.

The consultation emphasized that while there has been greater understanding of how nitrogen is fixed in sugar cane and how nitrogen-fixing properties might be assumed by non-legumes, many years of research and development probably will be required before cereal crops can be adapted and enabled to fix a large part of their nitrogen needs from the air. "In the meantime, the inter-cropping of legume species and their inclusion in rotations within cereal-based farming systems provides the best opportunity for increasing nitrogen availability to cereal crops," FAO said.

In its report on the consultation conference, FAO said the rapidly expanding use of industrially manufactured nitrogenous fertilizers has been one of the main factors behind the fast growth in agricultural productivity over the past 50 years. But rising concerns over the possible harmful environmental effect of these fertilizers, as well as their cost for small-scale farmers in developing countries, have highlighted the importance of expanding the use of agricultural production methods that are both agronomically and economically sustainable.

To address those issues, FAO brought together leading technical specialists to review current knowledge on BNF in agriculture. The meeting was also aimed at identifying those BNF technologies that offer the greatest environmental and economic benefits for specific agro-ecosystems in developing countries. Based on the consultation's recommendations, FAO hopes to secure donor funding for a program to encourage wider use of BNF technologies.

"For many poor farmers, BNF is a viable, cost-effective alternative or complementary solution to industrially manufactured nitrogen fertilizers," says Eric Kueneman, senior technical adviser in FAO's Agriculture Department. "Most BNF technologies have the potential to generate global environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, protecting biodiversity and promoting more sustainable use of agricultural land." By contributing to better soil cover and the build-up of soil organic matter, he adds, the BNF systems envisaged also promote rainfall infiltration, protect soil from erosion and enhance carbon sequestration.

The inclusion of nitrogen-fixing legumes within farming systems could generate important benefits for small-scale farmers, including increased farm output and improved livelihoods and food security. Intercropping and crop rotations with legumes also reduce the risk of pests and diseases, enhancing ecosystem sustainability, according to FAO.

Because most BNF technologies require few externally purchased inputs and are easily adapted for wide-scale use, they are particularly well suited for farmers with limited resources. According to the consultation participants, however, use of BNF technologies is often discouraged by national policies. Among these are subsidies on inorganic fertilizers, which reduce the competitiveness of BNF technologies and may contribute to wasteful or inappropriate use of synthetic fertilizers.

The consultation concluded that better efforts must be made to promote BNF-based farming systems within the framework of FAO's Integrated Plant Nutrition Systems (IPNS) approach. They cited participatory agricultural extension methods, particularly those that encourage farmer-led experimentation, as especially effective means of fostering use of BNF technologies appropriate to the various needs and constraints of farmers in developing countries.