The role of organic fertilizers in transition to sustainable agriculture in the MENA region
(2022)- Abstract
- Organic fertilizers can serve as an element of transitions to sustainable low-input agriculture in semi-arid regions of the MENA region. They play a key role in supporting soil biota and soil fertility. Yield improvements, availability and relatively low costs make organic fertilizers an attractive alternative for farmers. In semi-arid regions, important considerations are improved soil quality, which in turn affects soil water retention, while better root development helps crops resist heat and water stress. Organic fertilizers thus support climate adaptation and regional food security. Soil quality is crucial for carbon sequestration, at the same time that increased nutrient retention reduces impacts of agricultural runoff on groundwater... (More)
- Organic fertilizers can serve as an element of transitions to sustainable low-input agriculture in semi-arid regions of the MENA region. They play a key role in supporting soil biota and soil fertility. Yield improvements, availability and relatively low costs make organic fertilizers an attractive alternative for farmers. In semi-arid regions, important considerations are improved soil quality, which in turn affects soil water retention, while better root development helps crops resist heat and water stress. Organic fertilizers thus support climate adaptation and regional food security. Soil quality is crucial for carbon sequestration, at the same time that increased nutrient retention reduces impacts of agricultural runoff on groundwater and water bodies. Factors that impede the generalised use of organic fertilizers include lack of expertise, subsidy structures, constraints of the wider food and agricultural systems, and difficulties in transitioning from conventional agriculture. Such obstacles are aggravated in countries affected by security issues, financial volatility, or restrictions in access to market. Against the background of both general and local constraints, the chapter examines possible pathways to benefit from organic fertilizers, in particular synergies with other sustainable agricultural practices, as well as improved access to expertise. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/f2655177-b639-49d2-abcf-bc7ae483d45a
- author
- Avery, Helen LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2022-07-06
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- organic fertilizers, sustainable agriculture, transition pathways, smallholder farmers, semi-arid regions, low-input agriculture, soil health, soil carbon, GHG emissions, conservation agriculture, water management, climate adaptation and mitigation
- host publication
- New Generation of Organic Fertilizers
- editor
- Turan, Metin and Yildirim, Ertan
- edition
- 1
- publisher
- IntechOpen
- ISBN
- 978-1-83969-213-0
- 978-1-83969-212-3
- 978-1-83969-938-2
- DOI
- 10.5772/intechopen.101411
- project
- Infrastructure choices in post-conflict situations: Opportunities for Sustainability and Resilience?
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- f2655177-b639-49d2-abcf-bc7ae483d45a
- date added to LUP
- 2022-01-01 15:34:00
- date last changed
- 2023-06-28 15:52:27
@inbook{f2655177-b639-49d2-abcf-bc7ae483d45a, abstract = {{Organic fertilizers can serve as an element of transitions to sustainable low-input agriculture in semi-arid regions of the MENA region. They play a key role in supporting soil biota and soil fertility. Yield improvements, availability and relatively low costs make organic fertilizers an attractive alternative for farmers. In semi-arid regions, important considerations are improved soil quality, which in turn affects soil water retention, while better root development helps crops resist heat and water stress. Organic fertilizers thus support climate adaptation and regional food security. Soil quality is crucial for carbon sequestration, at the same time that increased nutrient retention reduces impacts of agricultural runoff on groundwater and water bodies. Factors that impede the generalised use of organic fertilizers include lack of expertise, subsidy structures, constraints of the wider food and agricultural systems, and difficulties in transitioning from conventional agriculture. Such obstacles are aggravated in countries affected by security issues, financial volatility, or restrictions in access to market. Against the background of both general and local constraints, the chapter examines possible pathways to benefit from organic fertilizers, in particular synergies with other sustainable agricultural practices, as well as improved access to expertise.}}, author = {{Avery, Helen}}, booktitle = {{New Generation of Organic Fertilizers}}, editor = {{Turan, Metin and Yildirim, Ertan}}, isbn = {{978-1-83969-213-0}}, keywords = {{organic fertilizers; sustainable agriculture; transition pathways; smallholder farmers; semi-arid regions; low-input agriculture; soil health; soil carbon; GHG emissions; conservation agriculture; water management; climate adaptation and mitigation}}, language = {{eng}}, month = {{07}}, publisher = {{IntechOpen}}, title = {{The role of organic fertilizers in transition to sustainable agriculture in the MENA region}}, url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101411}}, doi = {{10.5772/intechopen.101411}}, year = {{2022}}, }