Proposal 2012

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF NITROGEN FERTILLZER USE ON MAIZE OUTPUT PRICE.

PRESENTER

MULAMA KENNEDY MASINDE.

8/06/20121

Mulama - agronomics of fertilizer

Dr. Clive Mairura supervisor.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER USE ON MAIZE OUTPUT

PRICE.

Topic title.

8/06/20122

Mulama - agronomics of fertilizer

BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

Fertilizer is the key component in the Agricultural production system in Africa particularly in Kenya.

Cropping system with high yield target cannot be sustained until there is a balance between nutrients taken by the crop and those put in. (Rijpma and Jahiruddin 2004.)

Mineral fertilizers and nutrient management strategies are crucial to such efficiencies. Importing food supplies adequate to offset these deficits will not, in all likelihood, be economically feasible (Mwangi 1995).

8/06/20123Mulama - agronomics of fertilizer

Statement of problem.

In the Sub-Saharan Africa, low soil fertility has been identified as a threat to an increase in agricultural production mostly cereals in particular maize. This is mainly because of increased population pressure, that has lead to diminishing land holdings and poor methods of soil nutrient management.

8/06/2012 4Mulama - agronomics of fertilizer

Purpose of the study.

1. To investigate the response of nitrogen fertilizer timing on growth and yield components of maize.

2. To determine the gross margin of maize at different timing of nitrogen fertilizer application.

3. To measure the correlation between yields and different yield components.

8/06/2012

5

1

•To improve soil nutrient management and to increase the marginal benefit cost ratio to the producers.

2

•This paper would act as a reference point to any cereal producer and marketer of fertilizer. As a consultant.Importance/significance of study


1. Does the management practices affect the yield and growth apart from use of fertilizer?

2. What is could be the recommended application rates for maize to realize the marginal benefit?

Research questions.


3. Do the management practices affect the yield and growth apart from use of fertilizer?

4. Are the real fertilizer prices and real price product driven by technical change in market

oriented economy?


RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• It’s assumed that:- ••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Assumption of the study.

a) Fertilizer used will be the same for the plots/ replicates.

b) The seed type used will be viable and of the same hybrid in all the trials.

c) That the weather conditions will be favorable for research.

d) Cost of fertilizer transportation and it’s supply delays will affect the results of the research.


••••••••••••••••••••••••••Study limitations.

The weather may turn up to be unfavorable for the full results of research. i.e. leaching.

Findings may have a limited application due to high fertilizer costs and demand. E.g. Eutrophication.

Time and scope of the study may not allow the replication of the same study.


• MBCR-marginal benefit cost ratio is the total of the partial budget analysis. This is the ration of the marginal benefits and costs.

• An Agro-ecological Zone is a land resource mapping unit, defined in terms of climate, landform and soils, and/or land cover, and having a specific range of potentials and constraints for land use. (FAO 1996).

• MB- man’s day of labour calculated 25 shs per day.• Economic cost- the sacrifice involved in performing an

activity. Expressed as total of opportunity cost.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Definition of operational terms.


Summary and organization.

••••••••••••••••••••••••• The study will experiment on the effects and

economic impact of fertilizer use in maize output price and the decision making of the household on fertilizer use in relation to the marginal benefits cost ratio. The study will be organized in phases and a period of six to seven month whereby the data will be collected, recorded and analyzed for presentation and then recommended for adoption by farmers.


justification

Justification and objectives

One important explanation for the soil degradation in developing world is the failure to provide sufficient access to available resources and proper soil nutrients management. To increase land productivity in these areas, soil nutrient management is the key role to turn the situation the way round.


Theoretically the decision to adopt mineral fertilizer is determined by the interaction between agronomics response and the nutrient grain price ratio, agronomic response in turn is determined by soil characteristics and climatic factors. If the marginal agronomic response at a level of 0kg/ha of applied nutrient is greater than the nutrient –grain price ratio in theory the farmer should adopt the fertilizer.

Justification. cont’d

1. To determine the economic impact of fertilizer use on the growth and yield of maize crop on output price.

2. To investigate the response of nitrogen fertilizer timing on growth and yield components of maize

3. To determine the gross margin of maize at different timing of nitrogen fertilizer application.

4. To measure the correlation between yields and different yield components.

Objectives.

Objectives.

Ho: maize yield is directly affected by the rate

of fertilizer application and thus the price product in the market oriented economy.

Ha: maize yield is not directly affected by the

rate of fertilizer application and so is the product price in the market oriented economy.

Hypothesis

hypothesis


The result of the study will contribute towards unraveling the complexities under laying the households decisions on soil nutrient management and output price, with a view of suggesting possible way for policy, research and extensions to help increase the use of soil replenishing.

CONTRIBUTION.

EXPECTED CONTRIBUTION

Maize is a versatile crop, growing across a range of agro ecological zones. With its large number of varieties differing in period to maturity, maize has a wide range of tolerance to temperature conditions. It is essentially a crop of warm regions where moisture is adequate. The crop requires an average daily temperature of at least 20°C for adequate growth and development.

Literature review.

Cont’d

Soil fertility must be managed more efficiently if Africa is to overcome its food-production problems and to secure its food security policies. Although causes of food insecurity and poverty are numerous, the decline in soil fertility with resultant decreasing crop yields is generally highlighted and stressed (Ahmed, J.K., W.P. Falcon, et al C.P. Timmer. 1989).

Cont’d

In light of these considerations, many observers have called for increases in sub-Saharan fertilizer consumption of 15% or more per annum (Mwangi, W. 1995). Based on the experience of other developing world countries, where aggregate fertilizer consumption has increased far more rapidly than in sub-Saharan Africa, such expansion rates will not be easy to achieve in an economically efficient fashion (Carve and Ownby, 1995).

The study will be carried out at the UEAB research and demonstration farm in Nandi county. The area lies at latitude 020’N longitudes 35’ 60’E at latitude of 1981M above sea level. Ecologically the zone is classified as AEZ 3.

(KARI-2009)

location

Project layout RCBD

BWALEI, 1

(Block 1) 75cm (block 2) 75cm (block 3) 75cm

75cm 75cm 75cm

3M 3M

4M 4M 4M

75cm 75cm 75cm

75cm 75cm 75cm 75cm

3M 3M

4M 4M 4M

75cm 75cm 75cm

75cm 75cm

3M 3M 3M

75cm 75cm 75cm

75cm 75cm

75cm 75cm

1

4

2

4

2

3

3

1

4

2

1

3

Blocking design.

Block I Block II Block III 4 1 3 3 2 1 1 4 2 2 3 4

Coding.

1...............................no nitrogen fertilizer applied. (Control plot)2…………………... nitrogen fertilizer applied 30 days after planting3…………………...nitrogen fertilizer applied 44 days after planting4…………………..nitrogen fertilizer applied 58 days after planting

Parameters to be measured

Plant height, and Leaf length (taken every 14 days after N application).Maize stalk diameter and root length (also every 14 days after N application)Number of days for tussling.Grain Yield in Kgs.

Acknowledgement.

Dr. Maurice Ogutu.

Mr. Clive Mairura.

Mr. Mkandawire Frankston.

Mulama - agronomics of fertilizer 278/06/2012

Proposal 2012

Documents

Transcript of Proposal 2012