Small Farmers and Sustainable N and P Management: Implications and Potential Under Changing Climate

Abstract

The use of inorganic fertilizers has been an efficient way to increase agricultural production. Ever-increasing global population threatening food security, risks of changing climate affecting plant productivity, and the need for environment-friendly agriculture are all requiring the rational use of fertilizers to improve their use efficiencies. The increase in agricultural production in the recent past and in the future is associated with intensified (many folds) use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers, whose irrational use threatens the neighboring micro- and macro-environments by polluting them (e.g., eutrophication) and thus affecting the functioning of nearby animal and plant ecosystems. Therefore, this chapter critically focuses on these challenges faced by the small farmers with persistence farming in managing the precise use of nitrogenous and phosphorus (P) fertilizers. A highlight is given on the socioeconomic features of this persistence farming, which are the key drivers for decision-making in all the agricultural activities of this type of farming. In addition, the interaction of fertilizer management and crop production is provided with respect to small farms, and the review on management strategies for rational use of fertilizers proposed by esteemed international organizations and agencies is described and analyzed with respect to scientific achievements. Best management practices for N and P fertilizers and their significance in agricultural production and plant functioning are proposed also. In last, the management of these two agriculturally important nutrients (N and P) is concluded for sustainable productivity on small farms, and the major players involved in this regard are highlighted.