SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABLE SOIL MANAGEMENT
- 14/08/2020
- Posted by: Zuzana Majeska
- Category: News
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One finding of a self-evaluation by several Cameroonian companies active in the pineapple sector was that they are currently following a generic technical itinerary, particularly with regard to fertiliser application. The doses of fertiliser applied are mainly based on standard doses found in the literature, which can have either very good or very bad impacts on the quality of production, and on crops’ defences against potential pests. Following this observation, in February 2018 COLEACP organised support in sustainable soil management for several Cameroonian companies producing and exporting fresh or processed pineapples.
The support had three stages:
1. Theoretical training on sustainable soil management
2. Collection and analysis of soil samples from the plots of the participating companies
3. Based on the results of the analyses, construction of a fertiliser application plan.
It was important to help the companies’ production managers to interpret the results of the analyses and to build a fertiliser application plan adapted to the real needs of the soil for pineapple cultivation.
This support, completed in March 2020, brought together 14 participants from six companies. Their feedback showed that they they appreciated the interactive aproach, and they felt the objectives of the training were achieved – their knowledge about soil fertiliser needs and the related calculations was reinforced, so that they could apply optimal doses of mineral inputs. Soil management is a key element of sustainable production and contributes to maintaining a healthy crop and long-term yield.
The support had three stages:
1. Theoretical training on sustainable soil management
2. Collection and analysis of soil samples from the plots of the participating companies
3. Based on the results of the analyses, construction of a fertiliser application plan.
It was important to help the companies’ production managers to interpret the results of the analyses and to build a fertiliser application plan adapted to the real needs of the soil for pineapple cultivation.
This support, completed in March 2020, brought together 14 participants from six companies. Their feedback showed that they they appreciated the interactive aproach, and they felt the objectives of the training were achieved – their knowledge about soil fertiliser needs and the related calculations was reinforced, so that they could apply optimal doses of mineral inputs. Soil management is a key element of sustainable production and contributes to maintaining a healthy crop and long-term yield.
