Soil fertility network for maize-based farming systems: report of the period 1 October 1994 to 30 September 1995

Abstract

The goal of the Network is to help smallholder farmers in Malawi and Zimbabwe produce higher, more sustainable and profitable yields from their dominant maize-based cropping systems. The Network aims to achieve that through raised soil fertility - improved management leading to higher efficiencies in farmer use of scarce organic and inorganic fertilizer inputs - following adoption of technology developed through the Network. The Network brings together fragmented regional expertise to better focus on appropriate soil fertility technology for smallholders, develop links with other component technologies (such as germplasm) and facilitate technology transfer to end users. It emphasizes the development of effective, targeted research and extension through joint priority setting, planning and implementation of complementary soil fertility activities across maize-based agroecologies by participating organizations. This involves enhanced interaction between research, extension and the farmer. Activities include research priority setting, planning and integration; the conduct of priority research and extension; information exchange and training for network scientists; and the distribution and use of output information through links with farmers, extension, NGOs and input suppliers.