Spatially differentiated nitrogen supply is key in a global food-fertilizer price crisis

Sieglinde Snapp; Tek Bahadur Sapkota; Jordan Chamberlin; Cindy Marie Cox; Samuel Gameda; Mangi Lal Jat; Paswel Marenya; Khondoker Abdul Mottaleb; Christine Negra; Kalimuthu Senthilkumar; Tesfaye Shiferaw Sida; Upendra Singh; Zachary P. Stewart; Kindie Tesfaye; Bram Govaerts

doi:10.1038/s41893-023-01166-w

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Spatially differentiated nitrogen supply is key in a global food-fertilizer price crisis

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Spatially differentiated nitrogen supply is key in a global food-fertilizer price crisis

Sieglinde Snapp, Tek Bahadur Sapkota, Jordan Chamberlin, Cindy Marie Cox, Samuel Gameda, Mangi Lal Jat, Paswel Marenya, Khondoker Abdul Mottaleb, Christine Negra, Kalimuthu Senthilkumar, …

Nature sustainability, Vol.6(10), pp.1268-1278

10/01/2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01166-w

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Abstract

Environmental Sciences

Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Environmental Studies

Green & Sustainable Science & Technology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Science & Technology

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Fertilizer supply is highly sensitive to international disruptions. Geospatially differentiated strategies, including integrated inorganic and organic management to N-deficient regions, can bolster global food security A regional geopolitical conflict and sudden massive supply disruptions have revealed vulnerabilities in our global fuel-fertilizer-food nexus. As nitrogen (N) fertilizer price spikes threaten food security, differentiated responses are required to maintain staple cereal yields across over- and underfertilized agricultural systems. Through integrated management of organic and inorganic N sources in high- to low-input cereal production systems, we estimate potential total N-fertilizer savings of 11% in India, 49% in Ethiopia and 44% in Malawi. Shifting to more cost-effective, high-N fertilizer (such as urea), combined with compost and integration of legumes, can optimize N in N-deficient systems. Better targeted and more efficient N-fertilizer use will benefit systems with surplus N. Geospatially differentiated fertilization strategies should prioritize high-N fertilizer supply to low-yield, N-deficient locations and balanced fertilization of N, P, K and micronutrients in high-yield systems. Nationally, governments can invest in extension and realign subsidies to enable and incentivize improved N management at the farm level.

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Title: Spatially differentiated nitrogen supply is key in a global food-fertilizer price crisis
Creators: Sieglinde Snapp - Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz Y Trigo
Tek Bahadur Sapkota - Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz Y Trigo
Jordan Chamberlin - International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Cindy Marie Cox
Samuel Gameda - International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Mangi Lal Jat - International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Paswel Marenya - International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Khondoker Abdul Mottaleb - University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Christine Negra - Versar (United States)
Kalimuthu Senthilkumar - Africa Rice Center
Tesfaye Shiferaw Sida - International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Upendra Singh - International Fertilizer Development Center
Zachary P. Stewart - United States Agency for International Development
Kindie Tesfaye - International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Bram Govaerts - Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz Y Trigo
Publication Details: Nature sustainability, Vol.6(10), pp.1268-1278
Publisher: NATURE PORTFOLIO
Number of pages: 11
Grant note: CGIAR Trust Fund; CGIAR CGIAR initiative Mitigate+: Research for Low Emissions Food Systems
Identifiers: 99901398998301842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article