The CSIR-Soil Research Institute (SRI) has advocated the effective management of soil fertility to increase maize yield in support of the government flagship initiative of Planting for Food and Jobs.
The call is in line with its efforts to address the rapid decline in soil fertility in the country.
The Institute in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DoA) through the Research Extension Linkage Committee (RELC) and financed by the Canadian government is mandated to develop technologies for soil fertility improvement.
As a result, CSIR-SRI has carried out nationwide demonstration for farmers to showcase some of its soil fertility management strategies through the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers.
At a field day programme held at Gyampokrom in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality of the Western North Region, about 200 maize farmers drawn from ten communities, including Kunumah, Suiano, Gyampo, Abonse and Asafo among others, were taken through the process of applying the new technology.
Dr. Emmanuel Dugan, Research Scientist of Modernising Agriculture in Ghana (MAG), while addressing the farmers stated that the growth and yield of every crop, including maize, is highly influenced by the management of soil fertility put in place.
He said once the new technology is duly applied, the menace of crop importation would end.
“A fertile soil is that which is able to supply the necessary plant nutrients in sufficient measure for the growth and development of the crop and it is one of the most important factors for improving productivity and increasing maize crop”, he said.
According to him, the technologies basically meant to do away with the shifting cultivation include Biochar, a soil conditioner that helps to conserve both soil nutrients and moisture, Organic fertilizers, poultry manure compost and Mineral Fertilizer blended, developed and recommended by the Institute.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Louis Owusu Agyepong, represented by the Assistant Co-ordinating Director, Ebenezer Quaynor, mentioned government’s efforts to ensure maximum crop yields to feed the nation and for export hence MAG was established with foreign support.
The Municipal Best Youth farmer at the last Farmers’ Day celebration, Alexandet Akurugu urged the government to support farmers particularly, the youth, with soft loans to attract them into farming and dissuade them from engaging in galamsey.
Other speakers included a representative of the Acting Director of CSIR-SRI, Padlass Edeafuor, the Regional Director of Agriculture, W.H. Fordjour and the Chief of Gyampokrom, Nana Yaw Kumi.
