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- ItemIFDC Report, Volume 1, No. 2(1976-05) IFDCThis report provides an overview of the building program undertaken by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) with the support of a USAID grant. The program comprises three phases: Phase A, Phase B, and Phase C. Phase A includes the construction of a greenhouse, headhouse, laboratories, and offices, scheduled for occupancy by October 1976. Phase B involves the development of a pilot-plant building with associated laboratories and offices, targeted for completion by February 1977. Phase C focuses on completing the main laboratory-office buildings and landscaping, with an estimated completion and occupancy date of March 1978. The IFDC's current staff of 40 people is temporarily housed in two different locations, with plans to retain the temporary facilities until the entire building program is finalized. Brasfield and Gorrie, Incorporated, were awarded the construction contract for Phase A and have already initiated clearing and excavation work. The report also mentions the recent IFDC board meeting, where various topics were discussed and approved, including program activities, auditor's reports, construction contracts, and forming an executive committee. The resignation of Mr Lynn Seeber as IFDC Secretary-Treasurer is noted, and Dr Pendergrass assumes the responsibilities along with his vice chairman role. Furthermore, the publication highlights the research and development efforts of IFDC in fertilizer technology and agronomic practices. It mentions the focus on exploiting indigenous phosphate sources, conducting beneficiation tests on different ores, and studying phosphate rocks' behavior in reagents and soil solutions. Collaborative projects with TVA are mentioned, focusing on supergranule urea production and improving nitrogen fertilizer efficiency. The construction of new facilities for expanding research programs is also highlighted. Additionally, the report discusses IFDC's efforts in accelerating agricultural development, including research in soil fertility, agronomy, economics, and sociology. It mentions ongoing projects related to the direct application of phosphate rock, factors influencing fertilizer use among small farmers, and country case studies to assess the impact of public policy measures. The improvement of fertilizer supply and demand forecasting and analysis of fertilizer sector issues are also mentioned. IFDC's outreach division, responsible for technology transfer, technical assistance, and training, is also discussed. Examples of ongoing projects are provided, such as problem identification in West Africa, technical assistance in Taiwan and Colombia, and plans for expanding outreach efforts. Lastly, the report mentions the addition of a worldwide direct dial teletypewriter exchange service to IFDC's communication system and introduces the IFDEC abbreviation as the organization's name. It concludes by acknowledging the growth of the IFDC family and recent events, including the birth of the first baby within an IFDC family and the successful bulk fertilizer shipment to Ghana.
- ItemIFDC Report, Volume 1, No. 1(1976-02) IFDCThis report provides an overview of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and its activities during the year. IFDC, established in 1974, aims to improve fertilizers and fertilizer know-how for developing countries, particularly in tropical and subtropical agriculture, to increase food production. The report highlights the organizational structure of IFDC, including its staff composition and divisional units. It discusses the progress made in establishing temporary offices and laboratories, as well as plans for constructing new buildings on Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) property. Funding for IFDC's operations and facility construction is provided by the United States Agency for International Development (AID) and other potential donors. The report also mentions the contracting of work with various countries and organizations, as well as collaboration with TVA and universities to access specialized expertise. The chairman's report emphasizes the importance of IFDC's role in global food production and its integration with the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The report further focuses on IFDC's phosphate program, which addresses the utilization of low-grade phosphate ores and the development of effective and economical phosphate fertilizers for tropical and subtropical soils. It emphasizes the need for balanced fertilization programs and the exploration of direct applications of pulverized phosphate rock. Additionally, the report highlights IFDC's involvement in studying China's approach to fertilizer development, particularly in rural small-scale industries, and the potential transferability of their technologies to other developing countries. Finally, the report discusses IFDC's training programs, specifically the development of a fertilizer plant maintenance training program and a fertilizer marketing program. These initiatives aim to enhance knowledge and skills in maintaining production systems and improving marketing strategies in the fertilizer industry.
- ItemIFDC Report, Volume 1, No. 4(1976-12) IFDCThe publication covers various topics related to phosphorus research, including the progress at IFDC, the utilization of indigenous ores, the global shortage of phosphate rock, and the exploration of new methods for phosphorus fertilizer production. Additionally, it highlights the expansion of the IFDC Board of Directors and the advancements in the organization's building program. The publication summarizes critical research areas such as fertilizer raw materials, rock characterization, upgrading problem ores, evaluation of phosphate rock for direct application, and administrative appointments within IFDC. The publication also provides information on upcoming seminars and the establishment of regional coordinators for Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Overall, this report offers a glimpse into the valuable research and developments in phosphorus-related studies and the efforts of IFDC to improve global food production.
- ItemIFDC Report, Volume 1, No. 3(1976-08) IFDCThe material highlights critical topics discussed in the issue, including the IFDC facility's design and engineering, international status, cooperative agreements, progress achieved in the first year of operation, fertilizer development studies, human resource development, factory maintenance courses, outreach activities, and technology transfer. The report begins by emphasizing the flexibility of design and engineering standards applied to the IFDC facility, allowing for expansion and inexpensive remodelling. The construction progress of different phases of the facility is discussed, with Phase A nearly ready for occupancy, Phase B under construction, and Phase C set to be completed in early 1978. The publication highlights the international status of IFDC, with the managing director attending Centers Week in Washington, D.C., and the CGIAR nominating three members to the IFDC Board of Directors. Cooperative agreements with CIAT and IRRI are mentioned, with plans to station IFDC staff at each centre to focus on specific research areas. The report further covers the progress made by IFDC in its first year of operation, including inquiries received, visitors from outside the United States, fertilizer development studies conducted for the ASEAN region and Sahelian countries of West Africa, and the compilation of a world database system on fertilizer technology and use. The publication also mentions ongoing research programs, such as social science research to improve fertilizer decision-making and a fertilizer research program focused on nitrogen and phosphorus effectiveness in tropical and subtropical agriculture. The report then provides an overview of the West Africa Fertilizer Study, discussing significant food deficits, fertilizer use, fertilizer materials, and various supply alternatives analyzed by IFDC. The importance of human resource development is highlighted, including training programs for Bangladeshi engineers in fertilizer factory maintenance conducted in cooperation with TVA's National Fertilizer Development Center (NFDC). The publication concludes with a section on outreach activities, including technology transfer to Asia, involvement in TVA's Technology Demonstration, and the orientation and demonstration of IFDC's world fertilizer database system. The publication also acknowledges the contributions and roles of individuals involved in IFDC's nitrogen program and technical assistance provided to the Taiwan Fertilizer Company.
- ItemIFDC Report, Volume 2, No. 2(1977-06) IFDCThis report provides an overview of the building program undertaken by the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) with the support of a USAID grant. The program comprises three phases: Phase A, Phase B, and Phase C. Phase A includes the construction of a greenhouse, headhouse, laboratories, and offices, scheduled for occupancy by October 1976. Phase B involves the development of a pilot-plant building with associated laboratories and offices, targeted for completion by February 1977. Phase C focuses on completing the main laboratory-office buildings and landscaping, with an estimated completion and occupancy date of March 1978. The IFDC's current staff of 40 people is temporarily housed in two different locations, with plans to retain the temporary facilities until the entire building program is finalized. Brasfield and Gorrie, Incorporated, were awarded the construction contract for Phase A and have already initiated clearing and excavation work. The material also mentions the recent IFDC board meeting, where various topics were discussed and approved, including program activities, auditor's reports, construction contracts, and forming an executive committee. The resignation of Mr Lynn Seeber as IFDC Secretary-Treasurer is noted, and Dr Pendergrass assumes the responsibilities along with his vice chairman role. Furthermore, the report highlights the research and development efforts of IFDC in fertilizer technology and agronomic practices. It mentions the focus on exploiting indigenous phosphate sources, conducting beneficiation tests on different ores, and studying phosphate rocks' behavior in reagents and soil solutions. Collaborative projects with TVA are mentioned, focusing on supergranule urea production and improving nitrogen fertilizer efficiency. The construction of new facilities for expanding research programs is also highlighted. Additionally, the publication discusses IFDC's efforts in accelerating agricultural development, including research in soil fertility, agronomy, economics, and sociology. It mentions ongoing projects related to the direct application of phosphate rock, factors influencing fertilizer use among small farmers, and country case studies to assess the impact of public policy measures. The improvement of fertilizer supply and demand forecasting and analysis of fertilizer sector issues are also mentioned. IFDC's outreach division, responsible for technology transfer, technical assistance, and training, is also discussed. Examples of ongoing projects are provided, such as problem identification in West Africa, technical assistance in Taiwan and Colombia, and plans for expanding outreach efforts. Lastly, the report mentions the addition of a worldwide direct dial teletypewriter exchange service to IFDC's communication system and introduces the IFDEC abbreviation as the organization's name. It concludes by acknowledging the growth of the IFDC family and recent events, including the birth of the first baby within an IFDC family and the successful bulk fertilizer shipment to Ghana.