- 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.
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,
universities, international agricultural research
centers, and national agricultural research and
extension systems from developing countries.
Institutional Development Program
The main function of
the Institutional Development Program is to increase
agricultural production through the creation,
development, and nurturing of a private sector that will
undertake the various functions necessary to enhance
agricultural productivity. Specific objectives are to:
- Identify problems
and opportunities related to agricultural input and
output market development in developing and emerging
market economy countries;
- Design programs
(with our partners) that address development
assistance needs;
- Implement
development projects that create agricultural
markets.
Economic and Policy Development Program
The main function of
the Economic and Policy Development Program is to
provide economics expertise as
needed to support the achievement of the IFDC mission.
An enabling policy environment has been recognized
worldwide as an essential prerequisite for developing
agricultural markets. Macroeconomic stability,
non-distorted pricing environment, and enforceable and
enforced regulatory frameworks are pillars to support
well-functioning and efficient markets.
The Program ensures
through market assessment work, project development and
advisory services, and policy analysis and dialogue that
developing and transitional economies provide an
enabling environment for agricultural markets.
Additionally, this program is involved in analyzing the
feasibility of investment programs, socioeconomic
suitability of new technologies, implications of
multilateral trade agreements for agriculture and
agribusiness, and economic and policy measures needed to
protect the environment. The Economic and Policy
Development Program has completed several policy and
market assessment studies including An Action Plan for
Developing Sustainable Input Supply Systems in Malawi,
An Action Plan for Developing Sustainable Input Supply
Systems in Ghana, An Action Plan for Developing
Sustainable Input Supply Systems in Uganda, Agricultural
Input Markets in Nigeria: An Assessment and A Strategy
for Development, and Implications of the Uruguay Round
Agreements for Agriculture and Agribusiness in
Bangladesh. |
