Measuring is knowing

No need to tell a farmer that over-use of land leads to soil depletion, they will know that, but it is hard to counter it if they do not have the means to do so with for instance fertiliser. To improve or prevent this from happening and to develop a good soil management plan, it is important to know what exactly is going on. One such way can be by using the NUTMON toolbox. It is not the only existing participatory assessment method for uncovering soil crop farmer interactions, but it is a user friendly, well tested, includes socio-economic considerations as well and finally applies not only to the field or farm level but can map an entire region, making it an important tool for policy makers. Basically, the toolbox consists of a manual and a computer database. The first step is to collect data and enter this into the database. This includes information from farmers, such as soil characteristics, the amounts of produce harvested, earnings, the amount and source - of animal fodder used and so on. This usually requires both information from farmers, through questionnaires and discussions as well as existing data in literature and research on climate, soils and farming systems. Next step is processing, checking and quantifying these data. The result is an overview of the nutrient flows on a farm and or region and various economic indicators. In the final stage these results are presented and discussed with the farmers and a plan of action can be designed and implemented. Monitoring nutrient flows and economic performance in tropical farming systems (NUTMON) Alterra Agricultural Economics Research Institute, LEI, (manual annex CD Rom), Wageningen UR, 2001. ISBN 90 327 0303 x Euro 250 per set but free for universities, national agricultural research institutes and NGOs in developing countries. Alterra PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands Fax: +31 317 41 90 00 Email: nutmon-support@alterra.wag.ur.nl Website: www.nutmon.orgMonitoring nutrient flows and economic performance in tropical farming systems (NUTMON) Alterra Agricultural Economics Research Institute, LEI, (manual annex CD Rom), Wageningen UR, 2001. ISBN 90 327 0303 x Euro 250 per set but free for unive