Improving Wheat Yield, Fertilizer Use Efficiency, and Economic Benefits Through Farmer-Participation Nutrient Management

Optimal nutrient management is crucial for ensuring food security and agricultural sustainability. While technological innovation in nutrient management has been emphasized, the widespread adoption of such technologies remains a significant challenge, particularly in smallholder farming economies. This study presents a case of farmer-participation nutrient management (FPNM), where smallholder farmers are engaged through dialogue and their feedback is integrated into technology optimization and implementation strategies. A multi-site experiment was conducted on 71 fields, where 36 fields were treated with farmer’s customary nutrient management (FCNM) and FPNM, while the remaining 35 fields received only FCNM. The results showed that compared to FCNM, the FPNM increased grain yield by 10.9% and reduced chemical fertilizer inputs by 24.7%, including nitrogen (N) fertilizer by 10%, phosphate (P) fertilizer by 21%, and potassium (K) fertilizer by 25%. The fertilizer cost was reduced by 15.6% and the net income increased by 14.5% under FPNM. Additionally, fertilizer use efficiency increased by 17.1% for N, 37.5% for P, and 33.7% for K. These improvements were primarily achieved through farmers modifying their fertilizer formulas and increasing the application of organic fertilizer. Importantly, the participation-based management approach was particularly valuable as it effectively incorporated farmers’ management practices and acceptance willingness, making sustainable nutrient management techniques highly applicable in regions with widespread smallholder farming operations.