September 23, 2011 – ABUJA, Nigeria, and MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala., United States – IFDC has released the video “Urea Deep Placement: Hope for Food Self-Sufficiency in West Africa” to showcase the introduction and expansion of urea deep placement (UDP) technology in the region. UDP was introduced in Africa in 2009 after its effectiveness had been proven in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam and other Asian countries.
UDP is a more efficient and environmentally responsible method of fertilization than the traditional practice of broadcasting urea. IFDC is promoting UDP adoption in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo to increase rice production and nutrient efficiency.
The simple yet innovative technology involves the placement of urea supergranules or briquettes into the soil shortly after the paddy is transplanted. UDP increases nitrogen use efficiency because most of the nutrient stays in the soil, close to the plant roots where it is absorbed more effectively. UDP allows farmers to use less fertilizer (saving money), cuts nitrogen losses by as much as 40 percent (reducing air and water pollution) and increases farmers’ yields by more than 20 percent.
IFDC Contacts:
Courtney Greene
cgreene@ifdc.org
+1 256-381-6600 ext. 357
