National Chemical Fertilizer Usage Innovation Alliance Established

On March. 20, the National Chemical Fertilizer Usage Innovation Alliance was established in Beijing to accelerate establishment of China's system to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers while improving the efficiency, and to reform the supply-side structure of agriculture.This alliance will work mainly from three angles:
1)Boost innovation in fertilizer product development. Based on demand from agricultural production, the aim is to integrate scientific research institutes and business enterprises, hoping for breakthroughs in key technologies so that less fertilizer can provide more benefit.
2) Scientifically investigate fertilizer application. Promote mechanical fertilization and the integration of irrigation with fertilizers, and massively promote the high efficiency fertilizing technique model.
3)Explore innovative promotion. In line with “intelligent fertilizer supply”, ensure that formula fertilizer is embraced by every household in villages, with direct benefit in their farmland, and set up the more influential farming families as models, promoting a transformation in fertilization methods.
The Ministry of Agriculture has set a zero-growth goal for chemical fertilizer use by 2020, aimed directly at China’s principal problem of chemical fertilizer application. In recent years, the ministry has established 200 model counties for collaboration between farmers and industry to reduce fertilizer use, increase efficiency and adopt new fertilizers and technologies. In 2016, national chemical fertilizer use reached zero growth for the first time, with use shrinking in some provinces.