Monitoring nutrient flows and economic performance in African farming systems (NUTMON) I. Concepts and methodologies

Abstract Nutrient Monitoring (NUTMON) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-scale approach, addressing the problem of soil nutrient depletion, so far mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. It involves and aims, at the various actors influencing soil nutrient management at different levels. A quantitative and qualitative diagnostic phase, to determine nutrient management and economic performance in existing farming systems, is followed by a targeted process of participatory development of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) technologies and formulation of facilitating policy instruments. Further development of the approach is required through inclusion of social disciplines, extrapolation of results to district and national scale, better estimations of `difficult-to-quantify' flows and adding policy oriented activities.