IFA

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About IFA

Representing the global fertilizer industry. Serving farmers by providing the nutrients needed by soils and crops.

IFA partnership

• Farming First • United Nations • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) • International Energy Agency (IEA) • World Economic Forum • UN Global Compact • World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Biodiversity & environment

While agriculture contributes significantly to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, it is also a major driver of biodiversity loss.

Climate change

The significant risks and opportunities that climate change presents for agriculture, food supplies and the global fertilizer industry create an imperative for the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) and its member companies to contribute to mitigation and adaptation in the context of achieving a more sustainable path to global food security.

Fertilizer Best Management Practices

The FBMPs are developed to improve agricultural performance that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

Knowledge transfer innovative approaches

Effective last-mile delivery: successful innovative approaches

Nutriton & food security

Providing the food for a growing population

Micronutrient deficiencies

Billions of people, mostly in developing countries, suffer from micronutrient malnutrition, sometimes referred to as "hidden hunger". The nutrient deficiencies most commonly associated with human health problems on a global scale are iron, zinc and iodine, but selenium and fluorine deficiencies are also widespread. Micro-enriched fertilization is considered one of the most promising ways to fight malnutrition in soils, livestock and people.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

The fertilizer industry's contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/

Mining, production and transport

Efficient and responsible fertilizer production ---

Environmental issues concerning the production of fertilizers include potential pollution of air, water and land. There are hazards to be avoided in each part of the production chain, as well as questions of occupational health and safety for all those who work in close proximity to these products.

Sustainable agriculture

Enhancing Sustainable Development through Agriculture

Water

Good nutrient management for water quality •••
Proper nutrition predisposes plants to absorb and use water efficiently. And adequate moisture allows plants to take up optimal levels of nutrients. Furthermore, fertile soils retain more water, which is good for crops over time and is an important part of the natural water cycle •••
Nonetheless, the most commonly discussed link between water and soil fertility relates to the presence of agricultural nutrients, whether from croplands or livestock production, in ground and surface waters. The fertilizer industry rarely talks about water protection, which is the effect; we focus instead on the cause and the need to improve nutrient use efficiency •••
Good nutrient management favours optimal uptake by plants. As well as preventing nutrient losses to the environment, this is good for plant health, crop quality and yields. It also raises the returns on farmers' investments.