Today, members of the Canadian 4R Research Network, a group of nine leading Canadian researchers, gather in Ottawa to deliver an important message on the agronomic data gathered on how applying fertilizer using Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction Protocol (NERP) and 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place ®) can assist the Government of Canada meet sustainable development goals and greenhouse gas mitigation targets.
The research has indicated that 4R Nutrient Stewardship reduces greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from cropped soil and diminishes losses of phosphorus to surface waters and nitrate leaching in groundwater.
“The evidence is clear: We can improve both the quantity and quality of food for a growing global population without compromising food security, making agriculture more sustainable, more productive, and more resilient,” said Garth Whyte, President & CEO of Fertilizer Canada.
This is good news for Canada’s farmers who can now soundly employ 4R Nutrient Stewardship in their fields to enhance competitiveness, increase productivity and adaptability while addressing the sustainable intensification of agriculture.
“We have a research network, with ten projects across Canada, in every major agricultural region.\ This research is tackling nutrient use issues and opportunities for improvement,” said Dr. Mario Tenuta, Professor of Applied Soil Ecology at the University of Manitoba. “The 4R Nutrient Stewardship approach provides a basis to adopt and develop farm practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and loss of nutrients to the environment.”
The findings of the Canadian 4R Research Network are a result of $1.1 million in funding towards the Fertilizer Canada (formerly the Canadian Fertilizer Institute’s) project entitled “A Canadian Research Network to Improve 4R Nutrient Stewardship for Environmental Health and Crop ” under the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) AgriInnovation Program: Growing Forward II. The Canadian fertilizer industry funding provided an additional $1.1 million to the project for a total of $2.2 million over three years (2015-2018).
Agriculture has a valuable role to play to help to limit climate change. Canada has a unique\ opportunity to utilize the advancements made by the Canadian 4R Research Network, especially in the development of goals and indicators as part of its sustainable development strategy.
Source: Fertilizer.Canada