The
Resource Development Division comprises two
programs: (1) Soil and Nutrient Dynamics Program and
(2) Fertilizer Materials Program. The Division has a
global mandate to conduct research and development
activities within its two programs in collaboration
with our partners in the developing countries.
Soil and Nutrient Dynamics Program
The goal of the Soil and Nutrient Dynamics Program
is the increased production of food and fiber in a
more economical, sustainable, and environmentally
sound manner in the developing countries. The
Program’s main function is to understand, identify,
and apply mechanisms to foster the adoption of
agronomic technologies and socioeconomic measures
that enhance the efficiency of: (1) nutrient use by
crops, (2) nutrient recycling, and (3) soil
fertility improvement. Improved fertilizer use
recommendations, risk assessment, sustainability
indices, and environmental impact assessment are
developed through the use of analytical methods,
remote sensing, and decision support systems
designed to account for interactions of soil
properties, climate change, crops, nutrient
management, available inputs, and socioeconomic
factors. The program works closely with advanced
research organizations (AROs), universities,
international agricultural research centers (IARCs),
and national agricultural research and extension
systems (NARES) from developing countries.
Fertilizer Materials Program
The main functions of the Fertilizer Materials
Program are to conduct research and development
projects that characterize and identify the most
efficient use of fertilizer raw materials including
phosphate rock and to develop processes to use these
raw materials in fertilizer production. The program
can be divided into five main areas of emphasis:
-
Use of indigenous resources;
-
Characterization and evaluation of raw materials;
-
Fertilizer properties and production;
-
Development of organic-inorganic nutrient
products; and
-
Environmental issues in fertilizer production.
The
program engages in contractual arrangements and
research projects in collaboration with private
companies, government organizations, and
international organizations. Production economics
and environmental issues as they relate to
developing-country agriculture are of particular
concern.
NOTE: For detailed information regarding some of the
activities of the Resource Development Division,
please refer to the Programs/Projects section of the
web site. More information will be added
concerning these activities in the near future.
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