Managing agricultural vulnerability to phosphorus scarcity through bottom-up assessment of regional-scale opportunities

Nanda, M; Kansal, A; Cordell, D

Managing agricultural vulnerability to phosphorus scarcity through bottom-up assessment of regional-scale opportunities

Nanda, M Kansal, A Cordell, D

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Publisher:: Elsevier Masson
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Agricultural Systems, 2020, 184, pp. 1-11
Issue Date:: 2020-09-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Nanda, M
dc.contributor.author	Kansal, A
dc.contributor.author	Cordell, D https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5138-1569
dc.date.accessioned	2022-07-12T00:37:02Z
dc.date.available	2022-07-12T00:37:02Z
dc.date.issued	2020-09-01
dc.identifier.citation	Agricultural Systems, 2020, 184, pp. 1-11
dc.identifier.issn	0308-521X
dc.identifier.issn	1873-2267
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/158784
dc.description.abstract	Many developing countries are dependent on imported phosphorus (P) fertilizers and therefore increasingly vulnerable to scarcity of non-renewable global phosphate supplies, including short-term disruptions. A combination of participatory approach with quantitative substance flow analysis was used for identifying strategies for strengthening preparedness of regional food systems towards potential P scarcity. A P vulnerability index (PVI) – the lower its value, the higher the vulnerability (or P insecurity) – was defined on a regional scale in consultation with local stakeholders including government officials and experts and with farmers seriously affected by relevant policies and programmes. Potential mitigation and adaptation strategies were developed based on the estimated PVI and regional P flows. Regional policy planning and implementation with participatory approach are critical, because national, top-down policies may not cater to local and regional challenges and aspirations. The participatory approach offered fresh insights hitherto unidentified in top-down approaches. The study region, Sonipat in Haryana, India, is highly vulnerable to potential P scarcity (PVI of 38.68) but can theoretically reduce its P requirements by 11,574 t annually (about 85% of the current requirements) through recovery and recycling of P from human waste and by adjusting the fertilizer dose. Crop diversification combined with recycling and recovery of P and better governance can increase the PVI to 60 and above, implying adequate P security. Soil fertility, farmers' income, and access to institutional credit had the maximum impact on P vulnerability. The proposed framework can be applied in other countries to contextualize challenges related to P management and to devise strategies for building P security at regional scale.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	Elsevier Masson
dc.relation.ispartof	Agricultural Systems
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.agsy.2020.102910
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	05 Environmental Sciences, 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Agronomy & Agriculture
dc.title	Managing agricultural vulnerability to phosphorus scarcity through bottom-up assessment of regional-scale opportunities
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	184
utslib.for	05 Environmental Sciences
utslib.for	07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-07-12T00:37:01Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	184

Abstract:

Many developing countries are dependent on imported phosphorus (P) fertilizers and therefore increasingly vulnerable to scarcity of non-renewable global phosphate supplies, including short-term disruptions. A combination of participatory approach with quantitative substance flow analysis was used for identifying strategies for strengthening preparedness of regional food systems towards potential P scarcity. A P vulnerability index (PVI) – the lower its value, the higher the vulnerability (or P insecurity) – was defined on a regional scale in consultation with local stakeholders including government officials and experts and with farmers seriously affected by relevant policies and programmes. Potential mitigation and adaptation strategies were developed based on the estimated PVI and regional P flows. Regional policy planning and implementation with participatory approach are critical, because national, top-down policies may not cater to local and regional challenges and aspirations. The participatory approach offered fresh insights hitherto unidentified in top-down approaches. The study region, Sonipat in Haryana, India, is highly vulnerable to potential P scarcity (PVI of 38.68) but can theoretically reduce its P requirements by 11,574 t annually (about 85% of the current requirements) through recovery and recycling of P from human waste and by adjusting the fertilizer dose. Crop diversification combined with recycling and recovery of P and better governance can increase the PVI to 60 and above, implying adequate P security. Soil fertility, farmers' income, and access to institutional credit had the maximum impact on P vulnerability. The proposed framework can be applied in other countries to contextualize challenges related to P management and to devise strategies for building P security at regional scale.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/158784