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