IFDC was recently honored with a Global Technical Recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). One of only 39 organizations selected from over 300 nominations, IFDC received this acknowledgment for its groundbreaking work in improving the mechanization of fertilizer deep placement (FDP) for smallholder farmers.
FAO presented these awards at its Global Technical Recognition Ceremony in Rome, Italy, on October 15 at FAO Headquarters during this year’s World Food Forum (WFF). Various institutions and organizations, including IFDC, received the award for work that exemplifies technical leadership and long-standing commitment to sustainable agrifood systems.
IFDC was recognized in the Sustainable Plant Production and Protection category for developing mechanized technology that is transforming how smallholder farmers apply fertilizers, leading to increased productivity, improved profitability, and reduced environmental impact.
“This approach supports sustainable agriculture and a brighter future for farming.”
Dr. Yashpal Saharawat, Director of Resilience and Environment.
Transforming Fertilizer Application for Smallholder Farmers
FDP is an agronomic practice developed by IFDC that calls for placing nutrient-rich fertilizer briquettes directly into the soil at 7-9 cm depth near the plant root. This method ensures that nutrients remain available throughout the crop’s growth cycle rather than being lost to the environment through volatilization or runoff.
IFDC’s innovation lies in mechanizing this process. Working with public and private sector partners, IFDC modified existing zero-till drills and paddy transplanters to create a single-operation system that simultaneously plants seeds or transplants seedlings while applying fertilizer at the optimal depth.
Research across more than 2,000 farmer participatory research trials in India has shown that mechanized FDP increased productivity by 21-50% in different crops, including rice, mustard, tomato, and brinjal, while reducing urea use by 20%.
Additionally, the technology enhanced farmer’s profitability by approximately U.S. $305 to U.S. $1,927 compared to the traditional technique of broadcasting fertilizers by hand.
FDP’s environmental benefits are equally impressive. Studies from similar agroecologies of Bangladesh have shown that FDP reduced ammonia volatilization by approximately 75-80% and decreased greenhouse gas emissions by 28-66%.
“Mechanized fertilizer deep placement is a field-tested technology that delivers a triple win for farmers and the environment: reducing waste, increasing productivity, and lowering energy and greenhouse gas emissions by enabling a one-time application of fertilizers alongside seed placement or rice transplanting. This approach supports sustainable agriculture and a brighter future for farming,” shared Dr. Yashpal Saharawat, IFDC Director of Resilience and Environment.
Scaling Solutions for Global Impact
IFDC continues to refine and expand mechanized FDP technology to benefit more smallholder farmers worldwide.
In fact, mechanized FDP has shown potential for extension into different agroecologies to enhance fertilizer use efficiency, reduce input costs and environmental footprints, and increase profitability for farming communities.
Receiving FAO’s Global Technical Recognition reaffirms IFDC’s commitment to developing scalable solutions that address the interconnected challenges of food security, farmer livelihoods, and environmental sustainability for generations to come. This honor serves as a reminder that locally focused innovation has the potential to transform global agriculture, one field at a time.
IFDC is deeply grateful to FAO for this honor and extends its congratulations to all the organizations recognized for their impactful work.
