Dr. Terry Roberts
IPNI is a not-for-profit, science-based organization dedicated to the responsible management of plant nutrition for the benefit of the human family. We have 25 PhD scientists working in agronomics programs in Africa, Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, China, Eastern Europe/Central Asia and Middle East, Latin America-Southern Cone, Mexico and Central America, Northern Latin America, North America (Canada and U.S.A.), South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
As a global organization, IPNI has initiatives addressing the world’s growing need for food, fuel, fiber, and feed. A central theme of our work is best management practices for nutrient stewardship that encourage the concept of applying the right product (source), at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.
Dr. Terry Roberts
Comments from scientists at the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) are below.
Online consultation for developing the Code of Conduct for the Management of Fertilizers
IPNI Scientists
12 January 2018
GENERAL COMMENTS
The experience of the International Plant Nutrition Institute has shown us that there are several important policies at the national scale that are important to the advancement of responsible management of plant nutrition. These include:
1. Policies on public and private funding for:
a. Research on agronomy, plant nutrition, and soil fertility
b. Extension of information arising from such research to farmers and crop advisers.
c. Educational programs.
d. Nutrient balances and soil test summaries from national to farm scale.
2. Policies supporting the operation of institutions that:
a. Reward farmers and crop advisers for better management of plant nutrition.
b. Conduct relevant soil fertility research.
c. Certify responsible management of agronomy and plant nutrition.
Only in countries where such infrastructure is present, the proposed CoCoFe has good prospects for success.
SPECIFIC COMMENTS
1. 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?
2. How should be the CoCoFe be structured to have the maximum positive impact?
3. 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?
4. 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 biostimulants, nitrification inhibitors, urease inhibitors, etc., be included as well?
5. 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?