This discussion paper series has been launched as part of the NUTNET project. NUTNET stands for Networking on soil fertility management: improving soil fertility in Africa-Nutrient networks & stakeholder perceptions. It brings together several research programmes working on soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa. Activities include research on farmer management of soil fertility and understanding of the perceptions of different stakeholders towards how best to improve soils management. This series will be continued under the INCO-concerted action programme Enhancing soil fertility in Africa: from field to policy-maker which builds on the work done by NUTNET and receives funding from the European Union.
The series encourages publication of recent research results on soil fertility management in Sub Saharan Africa in a discussion paper form. Emphasis will be on interdisciplinary research results which highlight a particular theme of wider relevance to development policy and practice. Themes include:
• Farmers’ knowledge of soils and soil fertility management
• Socio-economic context of environmental change, including histories of soil management
• Nutrient budget analysis at farm and field level
• Examination of the policy context within which soil fertility is managed
• Discussion of methodological aspects and dilemmas when analysing soil fertility management at farm level
• Approaches towards on-farm trials and technology development with farmers.
