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Biological nitrogen fixation and socioeconomic factors for legume production in sub-Saharan Africa: a review

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Abstract

Low crop productivity is a general problem facing most farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). These low yields are pronounced in grain legumes and are often associated with declining soil fertility and reduced N2-fixation due to biological and environmental factors. Unfortunately, the majority of African small farmers are now unable to afford the high mineral fertilizer prices. More than 75% of the fertilizers used in Africa are imported, putting pressure on foreign exchange. Low cost and sustainable technical solutions compatible with the socioeconomic conditions of small farmers are needed to solve soil fertility problems. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), a key source of N for farmers using little or no fertilizer, constitutes one of the potential solutions and plays a key role in sustainable grain legumes (e.g., soybean) production. Given the high cost of fertilizer in Africa and the limited market infrastructure for farm inputs, current research and extension efforts have been directed to integrated nutrient management, in which legumes play a crucial role. Inoculation with compatible and appropriate rhizobia may be necessary where a low population of native rhizobial strains predominates and is one of the solutions which grain legume farmers can use to optimize yields. It is critical for sustained yield in farmlands deficient in native rhizobia and where N supply limits production. Research on use of Rhizobium inoculants for production of grain legumes showed it is a cheaper and usually more effective agronomic practice for ensuring adequate N nutrition of legumes, compared with the application of N fertilizer. Here, we review past and ongoing interventions in Rhizobium inoculation (with special reference to soybean) in the farming systems of SSA with a view to understanding the best way to effectively advise on future investments to enhance production and adoption of BNF and inoculant technologies in SSA. The major findings are: (1) complete absence of or very weak institutions, policy and budgetary support for biotechnology research and lack of its integration into wider agricultural and overall development objectives in SSA, (2) limited knowledge of inoculation responses of both promiscuous and specifically nodulating soybean varieties as well as the other factors that inhibit BNF, hence a weak basis for decision-making on biotechnology issues in SSA, (3) limited capacity and lack of sustainable investment, (4) poorly developed marketing channels and infrastructure, and limited involvement of the private sector in the distribution of inoculants, and (5) limited farmer awareness about and access to (much more than price) inoculants. The lessons learned include the need: (1) to increase investment in Rhizobium inoculation technology development, and strengthen policy and institutional support, (2) for public private partnership in the development, deployment and dissemination of BNF technologies, (3) to develop effective BNF dissemination strategies (including participatory approach) to reach farmers, (4) for greater emphasis on capacity building along the BNF value chain, and (5) for partnership between universities in SSA and those in the North on BNF research.

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Abbreviations

ASK:

Agricultural Society of Kenya

BCR:

Benefit Cost Ratio

BNF:

Biological Nitrogen Fixation

CAN:

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate

CIAT:

Centro Internacional Agricultura de Tropical

DAP:

Di-Ammonium Phosphate

DR-Congo:

Democratic Republic of Congo

FAO:

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation

FYM:

Farmyard manure

IAEA:

International Atomic Energy Agency

IITA:

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

IFDC:

International Fertilizer Development Center

INM:

Integrated Nutrient Management

ISAR:

Institut des Sciences Agronomique du Rwanda

KARI:

Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

KIOF:

Kenya Institute of Organic Farming

KShs:

Kenya Shillings

LSD:

Least Significant Difference

MIRCEN:

Microbiological Resources Center

MRR:

Marginal Rate of Returns

N:

Nitrogen

NGO:

Non-governmental organization

NPK:

Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium

OMMN:

Organic Matter Management Network

P:

Phosphorus

R&D:

Research and Development

SPRL:

Soil Productivity Research Laboratory

SSA:

Sub-Saharan Africa

SUA:

Sokoine University of Agriculture

TGx:

Tropical Glycine crosses

UNEP:

United Nations Environment Program

UNESCO:

nited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

USAID:

nited States Agency for International Development

USDA:

nited States Department of Agriculture

US$:

nited States of America Dollar

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. TSBF-CIAT, c/o World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), UN Avenue, Gigiri, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya

    Jonas. N. Chianu, F. S. Mairura & Justina. N. Chianu

  2. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), (202) 862-5600, 2033 K St NW, #400, Washington DC, USA

    E. M. Nkonya

  3. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), PO Box 30798, Chitedze, Lilongwe, Malawi

    F. K. Akinnifesi

Authors
  1. Jonas. N. Chianu
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  2. E. M. Nkonya
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  3. F. S. Mairura
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  4. Justina. N. Chianu
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  5. F. K. Akinnifesi
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Correspondence to Jonas. N. Chianu.

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Chianu, J.N., Nkonya, E.M., Mairura, F.S. et al. Biological nitrogen fixation and socioeconomic factors for legume production in sub-Saharan Africa: a review. Agronomy Sust. Developm. 31, 139–154 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1051/agro/2010004

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/agro/2010004

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