The Economics of Fertilizer Technology: From Research to Commercialization of OneBaja by Shahrina bt Md Nordin, Zainal Ariffin Ahmad (editor)

The discussion starts with an overview of the green fertilizer technology and the project Oneβaja in Chapter 1 by Associate Professor Dr Shahrina Md Nordin. Then, Professor Dr. Muzafar Shah Habibullah elaborates on the macro-economic aspects of the agricultural sector, specifically on the fertilizer demand and forecasting globally and nationally in Chapter 2. The economic discussion evolves around the fundamental question that relates fertilizer consumption and crop production, namely “what is the amount of fertilizer needed to support crop production in the future?” This is followed by Chapter 3 on forecasting fertilizer consumption where Professor Dr. Muzafar further elaborated on the fertilizer demand projection and fertilizer use efficiency. Chapter 5 presents the Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) model for determining the cost and benefits of a green fertilizer technology development (Oneβaja) research programme in Malaysia. Dr. Lai Fong Woon used a five stage CBA process model to evaluate the value of six projects undertaken for the Oneβaja research programme. This is followed by Chapter 6 where Professor Dr. Kamariah Ismail discusses the options and strategies to be considered during Pre-Commercialization of Oneβaja. In Chapter 7, Associate Professor Dr. Melati Ahmad Anuar highlights that the commercialisation of new green fertilizer is not a straightforward process and involves five stages, namely imaging, incubating, demonstrating, promoting and sustaining. She also discusses issues and challenges at the individual, institutional and industry levels in relations to green fertilizer commercialization by universities and the benefits of establishing the technology transfer office. The last chapter, Chapter 8 summarizes the findings of the econometrics analyses before several recommendations are presented for consideration.