Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices Based on Precision Agriculture: The Case of Maize

in Western Congo

John M. Ulimwengu, PhD

Senior Research Fellow

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Time for business as usual is over

“A fool is a person who does the

same thing everyday while

expecting different results”

Albert Einstein

• SOIL CLASSIFICATION AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS SHOULD BE THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH ALL SMART FARMING MUST BE BASED

• PRECISION AGRICULTURE (PA) REFERS TO A PACKAGE OF TECHNOLOGIES THAT PROVIDE THE FARMER WITH THE DETAILED INFORMATION NECESSARY TO OPTIMIZE FIELD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

PRECISION AGRICULTURE FOR CSA

MAIZE FARMING IN WESTERN DRC

Soil Suitable for Pre-PlantingSoil forms Soil Suitable for Topdressing

II. Chimical analysis

Calcium (%) Magnisium (%)Potassium (%)

IT IS A SMART THING TO DOTO CROP OUT LESS PERFORMING AREAS

USING INFORMATION FOR BETTER DESICIONMAKING

Parameter Soil in sampled area Normal range RecommendationspH (potential in hydrogen)

4.4 KCl (low) 5.5–6.5 KCl Indication of highly leached soil.Dolomitic lime should be used to correct the pH in the soil.

Exchangeable acids

≥ 2.33 cmol/kg in 1a (very high)≥ 0.30 cmol/kg in 1b (very high)

0.00 cmol+/kg The high level of exchangeable acids is very toxic to plants and plant roots.

Magnesium (Mg) 8 mg/kg in 1a6 mg/kg in 1b

100–120 mg/kg Highly leached soils cannot physically retain enough Mg in the clay complex.The deficiency in Mg can be corrected by using dolomitic lime.

Acid saturation 42% in 1a51% in 1b

0%–7% This very high level may result in poor root development and stunted growth.

Potassium (K) 12 mg/kg 70–90 mg/kg Deficiency can be corrected by using a K source such as KCl 50 fertilizer.Or it can be corrected over time by applying a higher rate of a fertilizer blend high in K.

Calcium (Ca) 51 mg/kg in 1a39 mg/kg in 1b

200–220 mg/kg If the physical amount of Ca in the soil is corrected, the pH will also start to stabilize at greater than 5 Kcl.Deficiency in Ca can be corrected by using either dolomitic or calcitic lime.

CSA practices implemented

•Identification of suitable farming areas; •Efficient and georeferenced application of inorganic fertilizer;•Seeds and equipment selection based on soil analysis;•Use of cover crops;•Minimal or no tillage.

SMART ALWAYS WIN

Key variables With PA (Actual) No PA (simulated)

Input costs (US$/ha) 474.56 320

Plowing (US$/ha) 0 0

Total planted area (ha) 5,721.50 5,721.50

Total input costs for 5,721.5 ha 2,715,195.04 1,830,880.00

Average yield (tons/ha) 4 0.78

Sales price ($US/ton) 380 380

Total production 22,886.00 4,462.77

Total revenue ($US) 8,696,680.00 1,695,852.60

Profit (NOT including plowing costs) 5,981,484.96 -135,027.40

Concluding remarks

“Blind farming,” that is, farming without soil knowledge, is highly inefficient and exacerbates the challenges of addressing climate change;

CSA practices should be site specific;

Soil analysis should be included as a requirement for every major agricultural development project;

Soil analysis be part of applications for agricultural loans and crop insurance as a risk management tool.

Thank you!