Field Diagnosis of Soil Conditions in Small Holder Farms: Some Thai experience

Russell Yost1, Tasnee Attanandana2, Prateep Verapattananirund3, Sahaschai Kongton4, Roongroj Pitukdantham2

1University of Hawai`i at Manoa2Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand

3Pan-Group, Bangkok, Thailand4Department of Land Development, Bangkok, Thailand

Challenges of small farms in Thailand:

• Farms are quite small (3.2 – 6.4 ha)• Large variation in soil orders: Oxisols,

Ultisols, Alfisols, Mollisols.• Can the attractive concepts of precision

agriculture be applied to such small farms? Right amounts of the right nutrient at the right time to the right crop at the right place?

“Tailor-made Fertilization”

• “Tailor-made” fertilization was comprised of four modules/steps:1. Field identification of soil series (5 field observable criteria)2. Soil test kit analysis of field soil3. Fertilizer recommendations with computer-based decision-aids4. Farmer empowerment – people-centered development, interactive learning, farmer networking

1. Field Identification of Soils

• Soil series were identified based on 5 field observable criteria; soil color, soil texture, depth, stoniness, and soil pH. Potentially uniquely identifying 324 soils.

• Farmers learned thenames of their soils,using the names to share and compareexperience

2. Soil test kit• A soil test kit was developedand patented for use in tropical soils.• Farmer leaders learned touse the kit and trained otherfarmers

3. Computer-based Decision-aid• Decision-aid structure - nutrient management:

3.1 Diagnosis – What is missing / deficient?3.2 Prediction – How much of what is needed?3.3 Economic Analysis – It is economic to make the predicted fertilizer application?3.4 Recommendation – Summarize the information in a form usable by the grower / producer.

• This structure can be implemented on a computer and shared with others as software (Phosphorus Decision Support System).

4. Farmer leaders teaching farmers

Comparison of fertilizer cost and maize yield using tailor-made fertilizer and farmer’s practice

Farmer Tailor-made fertilizer technology

Farmer’s practice

Fertilizer cost(US$/ha)

Yield (kg/ha) Fertilizer cost(US$/ha)

Yield (kg/ha)

Kampan 200 11,575 233 9,744

Jiradet 200 7,500 265 5,938

Boonkham 171 9,281 232 8,344

Tien 200 11,063 245 9,594

average 192.8 9,855 243.8 8,405

Economic Benefit – Tailor Made Fertilizer Recommendations

Fertilizer Cost, $/ha160 180 200 220 240 260 280

Net benefit, $/ha

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Tailor madeFarmer Practice

Soil testing by Soil Test Kit in Africa

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology (cont.)

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology (cont.)

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology (cont.)

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology (cont.)

Farmers training on Tailor-made fertilizer technology

Demonstration of soil testing to students and farmers

Soil clinic

Soil clinic

Using the Thai test kit to test the soil before fertilizer application at the soil clinic

Field Diagnosis of Small Holder Agriculture -- Some Thai Experience

• Attractive features of Precision Agriculture were adapted to small farm conditions– Soil identification, Diagnosis, Prediction,

Economic Solutions to nutrient limitations to crop production

– Farmer leaders were identified, contrasting with “Leading farmers”

Soil testing by Soil Test Kit in Africa

Collecting soils for diagnosis

Diagnostic Information:Field testing a diagnosis in the Philippines:

Is there an economic response or not?

Example Implementation of the Structure of Nutrient Management: (Phosphorus Decision Support System)

Awards

2009 Outstanding technologist

(Science and technology Promotion Foundation)

2011 Outstanding research(Thailand Research Fund)

2012 Thai Senate acknowledgement award (science for excellence)

“Tailor-made fertilizer

technology for maize, rice

and sugarcane

Conclusions• Nutrient Management for small holder farms:

– Field identification of soil – soils can have names!– Field testing of soil pH, N, P, and K– Decision-aids

• Diagnosis – What is missing / deficient?• Prediction – How much of what is needed?• Economic Analysis – It is economic to make the change?• Recommendation – Summarize the information in a form

understandable by the grower / producer.– Farmer empowerment – Farmer Leaders, farmer

networking– Soil clinic establishment-sustainable of the technology by

farmers in the community