Given the global scope of the CoCoFe, do you think the objectives are appropriate? If not, how would you add to them or modify them?
The objectives of CoCoFe is appropriate, however, like to suggest some more as follows:
Protect and promote the endogenous knowledge of fertilizer production, such as compositing using the available raw material resources, at the local level.
Create linkage between the industrial bio-products that has characteristic to turn into the compost/ bio manure type of fertilizer to contribute in the livelihood of the communities around the industrial areas (example sugar cane factory) and health of the soil.
How should be the CoCoFe be structured to have the maximum positive impact?
Though I have not chance to go in detail on the CoCoFe, the maximum impact of the CoCoFe translates through ensuring use of bio-waste (even those releasing from household) to prepare compost/ biomanures. With the increasing urbanization, bio-waste from households are increasing in urban settings whereas, very less effort is made in large scale to turn it into fertilizer. Many country either due to lack of technical knowledge or financial resources are not managing these waste, which finally reaching into river system through sewages. This thing need to consider during structuring CoCoFe. Since I have limited exposure to work in the agriculture sector, I cannot add more on it but having the academic background of Sugar Technology, I can guess, there is ample opportunity to structure CoCoFe thinking it from soil health prospective as well as minimizing the household waste.
Who would be the best audience for the CoCoFe to meet our objectives and how could we broaden and diversify this audience to increase its influence?
I think, Government (Federal, Provincial and Rural Municipality/ Urban Municipality), National Planning Commission, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Local Development, Ministry of Finance, UN agency like FAO, I/NGO working in the field of agriculture, University with Pre-harvest and Post-Harvest Courses, Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Social Influencers and Community leaders are potential audience for the CoCoFe. Of course, main benefiary of the CoCoFe should not be left out from demand side.
What should the scope of the CoCoFe be? Which nutrient input sources should be included; only synthetic fertilizers, or also manure, biosolids, compost, etc.? Should other products such as bio-stimulants, nitrification inhibitors, urease inhibitors, etc., be included as well?
The scope of CoCoFe depends on the country specific situation and base on the soil characteristic. The global CoCoFe should be adjustable depending upon the country need. The main point here is, every country should have capacity to check their soil health on regular basis and Government structure should have capacity to take appropriate decision. There is no question our focus should be on bio-solids and compost, however, every country always has limitation to supply bio-solids and compost since these types of fertilize is not produce in large scale. Sometimes, delivering synthetic fertilizers to farmers become essential under the condition where bio-manures are not available in sufficient quantity. So far possible, if endogenous knowledge on preparing compost fertilizer could be promoted, it can be local solution, which is more cost effective and sustainable. In general, Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous are the usual choice of nutrient for farming but depending on the soil and type of crop planned to planted, another nutrient is also requiring. One of such nutrient would be Zinc for tea plant.
Will the CoCoFe assist in promoting responsible and judicious use of fertilizers? Why or why not? What other suggestions do you have to help the CoCoFe meet our objectives?
I hope, CoCoFe will certainly assist in promoting responsible and judicious use of fertilizers but it need to be taken care, the code will not just focus on the synthetic fertilizer and also, look other expects like livelihood, sustainability and use of endogenous knowledge. I suggest to add gender dimension also if possible since women are given the responsibility to spray fertilizers in farm in most of the under developed country. Some of such dimension is looking on safety issues or use of innovative technology for spraying fertilizer in farm.
Sr. Naveen Paudyal