There currently are no consistent, large-area (hundreds of square kilometers and larger) mechanisms for testing the efficacy of fertilizer use, conservation tillage, integrated soil fertility management, erosion control, livestock stocking, and agroforestry interventions in SSA. While testing of all of these interventions at all sentinel sites is clearly beyond the scope of this project, we are targeting two or three sentinel sites in each of the 5 target countries (Kenya, Mali,  Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania), covering the major agro-ecological zones. These trials are being established in selected sentinel landscapes. We hope that this will form a model of how national research programmes could conduct systematic, scientifically sound agronomic testing in future.

The sentinel landscapes where field trials and demonstration plots are being established depends on the areas that are considered to be critical (either in terms of soil health status or in terms of social and economic importance) and on targeted farming systems. The project is focusing on cereal based systems as immediate priority. The project is conducting multi-locational, on- farm, controlled (managed by the national partners) standard trials. Farmers are involved in the participatory monitoring and evaluation. The teams responsible for the implementing this activity are working closely with the AfSIS mapping team to determine where to locate the trials based on the prevailing soil conditions and farming systems. All of the sites have, at a minimum, a standard nutrient response trial that links to the soil spectral characterization of the sentinel sites.

Malawi Field Trials: Site Description
Mali Field Trials: Site Description

Fertilizer response trials and Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) trials have often been conducted to investigate soil processes that underlie soil productivity and therefore do not necessarily address practical solutions to soil health or soil productivity problems faced by farmers. Experiments with fertilizer applications rates that are not an affordable option to most of the farmers (though they may be according to official recommended rates) are an example. The project is testing and demonstrating practical solutions to prevailing soil health related problems, however still based on ISFM technologies. The trials therefore involve a range of fertilizer application rates, application of organic matter in different forms and quantities and with the integration of legume crops in the crop rotation or cropping systems that are acceptable to farmers and that serve a dual purpose (i.e. provide economic benefits as well as benefits to soil productivity). These management options are being considered in combination with options for soil conservation.