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Maize remains one of the most important cereal crops grown in small-holder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)(Cairns et al., 2013). Its cultivation is generally characterized by limited input use and low yields. The low yields are often associated with low soil fertility, pest, and diseases, weeds, low and inappropriate use of inputs such as fertilizers (Sanchez, 2002). This internship aimed to develop a nutrient management advice protocol that was used to inform the development of Maize nutrient Manager (M-N-M) advisory mobile phone app for maize farmers and extension workers in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The MNM app advises farmers what type of fertilizer to use, when, and how best to apply it depending on the conditions of the field to improve maize yield
The study was conducted in two districts of Mbozi and Momba in the Songwe region, and three groups of respondents were identified to which interviews were carried out. The first group consisted of smallholder maize farmers. The second was a group of agro-dealers who supplied agricultural inputs to maize farmers in the two districts and the last group composed of extension workers serving the districts. To reach the aim of the study I carried out interviews with farmers, agro-dealers and extension workers with the objectives of (I) investigating the diversity in fertilizer management practices across smallholder maize farmers (ii) investigating the kind of advice extensionists provide to farmers regarding fertilizer use (iii) investigating availability, price, and standard packages of fertilizer and other inputs such as seeds and herbicides in Mbozi and Momba districts
The data collected through the ODK survey (n=102) showed that there is room for farmers to improve their management practices to reach higher yield maize production. The most critical area that needs much improvement or attention is the timing of application of both basal and top-dressing fertilizers. The Nutrient management advice protocol informed the MNM app to advise the farmer to; continue crop rotate maize with legumes(groundnuts and beans), use manure regularly, apply available basal P fertilizer at planting or immediately after seed emergence (in case of dry planting), apply appropriate amount of N fertilizer first at 5-6 leaves and then at 8-10 leaves(split application). In the situation of a little number of available N fertilizers, farmers could apply all at once when the maize plants reach 7-8 leaves.
The findings of the study revealed research questions that need further investigation in the area; 1. Investigate the socio-economic and agronomic constraints that hindered farmers from adopting the best fertilizer use practices. 2. Further investigation on the use of manure in the area from management to application. 3. Investigate further the adoption of MNM app among farmers.
