Person: Craufurd, P.
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Craufurd
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Craufurd, P.
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0000-0001-8559-0174 5 results
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- Adapting the QUEFTS model to predict attainable yields when training data are characterized by imperfect management(Elsevier, 2021) Ravensbergen, A.P.P.; Chamberlin, J.; Craufurd, P.; Shehu, B.M.; Hijbeek, R.
Publication - Science-based decision support for formulating crop fertilizer recommendations in sub-Saharan Africa(Elsevier, 2020) Rurinda, J.; Shamie Zingore; Jibrin, J.M.; Balemi, T.; Masuki, K.; Andersson, J.A.; Pampolino, M.F.; Mohammed, I.B.; Mutegi, J.; Kamara, A.Y.; Vanlauwe, B.; Craufurd, P.
Publication - Balanced nutrient requirements for maize in the Northern Nigerian Savanna: parameterization and validation of QUEFTS model(Elsevier, 2019) Shehu, B.M.; Lawan, B.A.; Jibrin, J.M.; Kamara, A.Y.; Mohammed, I.B.; Rurinda, J.; Shamie Zingore; Craufurd, P.; Vanlauwe, B.; Adam, A.M.; Merckx, R.Establishing balanced nutrient requirements for maize (Zea mays L.) in the Northern Nigerian Savanna is paramount to develop site-specific fertilizer recommendations to increase maize yield, profits of farmers and avoid negative environmental impacts of fertilizer use. The model QUEFTS (QUantitative Evaluation of Fertility of Tropical Soils) was used to estimate balanced nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) requirements for maize production in the Northern Nigerian Savanna. Data from on-farm nutrient omission trials conducted in 2015 and 2016 rainy seasons in two agro-ecological zones in the Northern Nigerian Savanna (i.e. Northern Guinea Savanna “NGS” and Sudan Savanna “SS”) were used to parameterize and validate the QUEFTS model. The relations between indigenous soil N, P, and K supply and soil properties were not well described with the QUEFTS default equations and consequently new and better fitting equations were derived. The parameters of maximum accumulation (a) and dilution (d) in kg grain per kg nutrient for the QUEFTS model obtained were respectively 35 and 79 for N, 200 and 527 for P and 25 and 117 for K in the NGS zone; 32 and 79 for N, 164 and 528 for P and 24 and 136 for K in the SS zone; and 35 and 79 for N, 199 and 528 for P and 24 and 124 for K when the data of the two zones were combined. There was a close agreement between observed and parameterized QUEFTS predicted yields in each of the agro-ecological zone (R2 = 0.69 for the NGS and 0.75 for the SS). Although with a slight reduction in the prediction power, a good fit between the observed and model predicted grain yield was also detected when the data for the two agro-ecological zones were combined (R2 = 0.67). Therefore, across the two agro-ecological zones, the model predicted a linear relationship between grain yield and above-ground nutrient uptake until yield reached about 50 to 60% of the yield potential. When the yield target reached 60% of the potential yield (i.e. 6.0 t ha−1 ), the model showed above-ground balanced nutrient uptake of 20.7, 3.4 and 27.1 kg N, P, and K, respectively, per one tonne of maize grain. These results suggest an average NPK ratio in the plant dry matter of about 6.1:1:7.9. We concluded that the QUEFTS model can be widely used for balanced nutrient requirement estimations and development of site-specific fertilizer recommendations for maize intensification in the Northern Nigerian Savanna.
Publication - Farmers’ preferences for high-input agriculture supported by site-specific extension services: evidence from a choice experiment in Nigeria(Elsevier, 2019) Oyakhilomen Oyinbo; Chamberlin, J.; Vanlauwe, B.; Liesbet Vranken; Kamara, A.Y.; Craufurd, P.; Maertens, M.Agricultural extension to improve yields of staple food crops and close the yield gap in Sub-Saharan Africa often entails general recommendations on soil fertility management that are distributed to farmers in a large growing area. Site-specific extension recommendations that are better tailored to the needs of individual farmers and fields, and enabled by digital technologies, could potentially bring about yield and productivity improvements. In this paper, we analyze farmers' preferences for high-input maize production supported by site-specific nutrient management recommendations provided by an ICT-based extension tool that is being developed for extension services in the maize belt of Nigeria. We use a choice experiment to provide ex-ante insights on the adoption potentials of site-specific extension services from the perspective of farmers. We control for attribute non-attendance and account for class as well as scale heterogeneity in preferences using different models, and find robust results. We find that farmers have strong preferences to switch from general to ICT-enabled site-specific soil fertility management recommendations which lend credence to the inclusion of digital technologies in agricultural extension. We find heterogeneity in preferences that is correlated with farmers' resource endowments and access to services. A first group of farmers are strong potential adopters; they are better-off, less sensitive to risk, and are more willing to invest in a high-input maize production system. A second group of farmers are weak potential adopters; they have lower incomes and fewer productive assets, are more sensitive to yield variability, and prefer less capital and labor intensive production techniques. Our empirical findings imply that improving the design of extension tools to enable provision of information on the riskiness of expected outcomes and flexibility in switching between low-risk and high-risk recommendations will help farmers to make better informed decisions, and thereby improve the uptake of extension advice and the efficiency of extension programs.
Publication - Maize crop nutrient input requirements for food security in sub-Saharan Africa(Elsevier, 2019) Berge, H.F.M. ten; Hijbeek, R.; Van Loon, M.P.; Rurinda, J.; Tesfaye, K.; Shamie Zingore; Craufurd, P.; Heerwaarden, J. van; Brentrup, F.; Schröder, J.J.; Boogaard, H.; De Groote, H.; Ittersum, M.K. vanNutrient limitation is a major constraint in crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Here, we propose a generic and simple equilibrium model to estimate minimum input requirements of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for target yields in cereal crops under highly efficient management. The model was combined with Global Yield Gap Atlas data to explore minimum input requirements for self-sufficiency in 2050 for maize in nine countries in SSA. We estimate that yields have to increase from the current ca. 20% of water-limited yield potential to approximately 50–75% of the potential depending on the scenario investigated. Minimum nutrient input requirements must rise disproportionately more, with N input increasing 9-fold or 15-fold, because current production largely relies on soil nutrient mining, which cannot be sustained into the future.
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