New Partnership Improves Smallholder Access to Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security in Americas
OTTAWA, Feb. 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Smallholder farmers in the Americas will have improved access to verified solutions to sustainable agriculture through 4R Nutrient Stewardship, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fertilizer Canada and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) today.
This new partnership between Fertilizer Canada and IICA will enable progress towards a common goal of strengthening rural development and increasing food security, productivity and competitiveness for smallholder farmers in the Americas by improving access to 4R Nutrient Stewardship.
4R Nutrient Stewardship is an internationally-recognized best management practice (BMP) framework with four key pillars for fertilizer application: Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®. This science-based approach helps growers understand how efficient fertilizer application improves profitability while reducing nutrient losses to the environment. While the framework is universally applicable and can be scaled for any cropping region, 4R Nutrient Stewardship is also locally focused for unique field-by-field growing conditions.
"Fertilizer Canada is pleased to be partnering with IICA to facilitate knowledge transfer and implementation of climate smart agricultural practices across the Americas," said Garth Whyte, President & CEO of Fertilizer Canada. "4R Nutrient Stewardship is well-suited for adoption by smallholder farmers by offering proven best management practices that can increase crop yields and profitability."
Through joint programming, resource mobilisation and shared learning, Fertilizer Canada and IICA will advance 4R Nutrient Stewardship as the standard for sustainable nutrient management in the Americas towards improved food-security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
"IICA has a toolbox of technologies and innovations for addressing sustainable agricultural productivity in its 34 member countries. We believe that by working together with Fertilizer Canada, measurable economic, societal and environmental benefits can be achieved for smallholder farmers in the Americas and around the world," said IICA's Representative in Canada, Audia Barnett. "Together, we are jointly committed to work for an agriculture that is broadly sustainable, inclusive and resilient."
This partnership supports Fertilizer Canada's continued commitment to improve food security and climate smart agriculture using 4R Nutrient Stewardship, reflecting and supporting the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. It further supports the association's strategic goal to achieve official endorsement of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework as the Canadian and global standard for sustainable nutrient application and climate smart agriculture.
Fertilizer Canada represents manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur fertilizers. The fertilizer industry plays an essential role in Canada's economy, contributing $23 billion annually and over 76,000 jobs. The association is committed to supporting the fertilizer industry with innovative research and programming while advocating sustainability, stewardship, safety and security through standards and Codes of Practice. Please visit fertilizercanada.ca.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is the specialized agency of the Inter-American System for the promotion of agriculture and rural well-being, and our efforts are fully focused on making agriculture competitive and sustainable in the Americas. IICA acts as a bridge between all of its member countries, supporting them in their efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being, as well as building channels of understanding through technical cooperation. For more visit iica.int.
SOURCE Fertilizer Canada
For further information: MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly McCarthy, Manager, Communications, [email protected], 613-786-3035
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