Please find below the
Finalist Evaluation
Judges'' comments
The method presented in proposal is sound and has potential for important impact although there are concerns with the long-term suitability of the project given that nitrapyrin doesn’t remain in the soil for long. Nitrapyrin is already in use globally and enabling a continuation of the current paradigm in chemical fertilizers may not be a valuable exercise. Experimentation in the Nepali context, however, may be worthwhile in order to provide more scientific information upon which to make future decisions. Data from such experiments on N2O emissions would need to be coupled with other data on human health, soil health, economics and cultural aspects to determine whether nitrapyrin use is appropriate in Nepal.
Semi-Finalist Evaluation
Judges'' ratings
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Judges'' comments
This is a well-written proposal to conduct field experiments in Nepal with nitrapyrin. Nitrapyrin is often co-applied with N fertilizers in the US to increase fertilizer efficiency but is apparently not used in Nepal. Although there are valid reasons to question the long-term sustainability of intensifying industrial inputs to Nepali agriculture, there are also shorter-term needs to increase food production for a population expected to grow by 25% in the coming decades. While the large-scale use of nitrapyrin in agriculture may be inappropriate, this experiment would provide useful information that could contribute to the debate on the future of Nepali agriculture. The proposal would be strengthened with a more balanced discussion of the potential role of nitrapyrin in Nepal for nitrogen management with acknowledgment of the long-term risks to soil health (as bactericide) and human health (as carcinogen).
 Olawale Olaniyan Oct 28, 2017 09:42  | Hello, Congrats! In addition to the judges' suggestions, you may wish to include technology acceptance model as a way of first testing this technology. Best of luck! Olawale |
 Dinesh Panday Nov 6, 2017 03:57  | Proposal creator Dear Climate Co-Lab's Judges: Thank you so much for reviewing our proposal and advancing it to the semi-finals! Thank you also for your constructive comments. We have added many clarifying points to our proposal. In the 'Summary section', we made changes with possible fitness of nitrapyrin in Nepalese scenario based on fertilizer application method and how to reduce possible soil N losses. In the 'Action section', we added our third objective as to explore the relation between nitrapyarin, its effect on soil physio-chemical properties and corn yield. We added a paragraph for chemical nature of nitrapyrin, its long-term risks to soil and human health. Similarly, we added a separate paragraph for potential role of nitrapyrin which can open a call for debate on the future of Nepalese agriculture. Additionally, we have addressed for technological acceptable model in 'other key benefits section'. |
