The International Economic Forum of the AmericasMontreal, Canada
June 9-12, 2014
1
Agricultural and Fertilizer Innovation Ensuring Global Food and Nutrition
Security
Patricio Contesse G.Chief Executive Officer
SQM S.A.
Sources: IWMI, Foresight, WRI, CIA, World Bank, FAO, ILO
Agriculture
Converging challenges to global agriculture
Food security and meeting a growing demand
60%increase in total
agricultural production (latest
FAO projection)
Increase yields and cropping
intensity: 90% of the anticipated
gain
Greater (and more efficient) use of fertilizers (and other
nutrient sources)
Industry responds through heavy investments in
additional capacity
Feed 2 billion more people by 2050
Still 850 million hungry
Increasing demand for livestock products
Competing demand for feedstock for biofuels / bioenergy
“Fertilizer is the world’s most important humanitarian product”…. Andrew Youn, One Acre Fund
Fertilizers represent an essential ingredient in the drive towards world food security
Innovation in agriculture
1. Improved crop varieties2. Manufactured fertilizers3. Irrigation and other technologies
’Green Revolution’…agricultural innovation
Closing the ‘yield gap’ is an imperative
Adoption of existing technologies• Access to inputs• Access to knowledge
Innovations in nutrient management: 4R Nutrient Stewardship
Soil testingYield goal analysisCrop removal balanceNutrient management planningPlant tissue analysisApplicator calibrationCrop scoutingRecord keepingVariable rate technologySite-specific management
Right RateApplication timingControlled-release technologiesInhibitorsFertilizer product choice
Right Time
Application methodIncorporation of fertilizerBuffer stripsConservation tillageCover cropping
Right PlaceSoil testingN, P, K, secondary and micronutrientsEnhanced-efficiency fertilizersNutrient management plans
Right Product
Knowledge transfer to farmers
· Developing countries account for 2/3 of world consumption
· Inefficient ‘conventional’ governmental extension services
· Hundreds of million smallholder farmers are not satisfactorily advised on fertilizer management
poor use efficiency
· Develop solutions to supplement extension workers Develop common knowledge platform
to ensure consistent messages Train agri-input dealers to provide
agronomic advice
Innovation: new products with added value
Slow- and controlled release
fertilizers
Stabilized fertilizers
Fertilizers supplemented
with micronutrients
Soluble / liquid fertilizers
(fertigation, foliar sprays)
Mostly used on specialty crops Constrained by price differential
New products could alleviate the price constraint
Virtual Fertilizer Research Center (launched in 2010 by IFDC): Creating
the next generation of fertilizers
Fertilizing crops to improve human health
• Turkey Zinc-enriched fertilizers for wheat crops
• Finland Selenium-enriched fertilizers fighting cardio-vascular disease
• China Iodine-enriched fertigation
SeZnEnriching fertilizers with micro-nutrients =
macro effect
Micronutrient-enriched fertilizers (agronomic biofortification) to fight malnutrition
Bio-Fortification Process
Iodine, Zn, Se, Fe ENRICHED FERTILIZER SOLUTION
Iodine, Zn, Se, Fe UPTAKE
Iodine, Zn, Se, Fe BIOFORTIFIED FOOD
READILY BIOAVAILABLE AND ASSIMILATED Iodine, Zn, Se, Fe
Through leaves(foliar applied)
Through roots
Farmers need our collective efforts
INNOVATION: Research and develop new products and best management practices
PARTNERSHIPS: Develop new business models for emerging markets
FARMERS: Cooperate in innovative extension services – effective outreach and last-mile delivery