With fertiliser prices straining Ghanaian farmers and soil fertility declining, scientists in Ghana are testing a UK Government–funded technology that converts air pollution into plant nutrition.
The innovation, known as R-Leaf®, was presented at a Climate-Smart Agriculture dissemination event hosted by the British High Commission in Accra, where researchers, agronomists and carbon market experts reviewed results from Ghana maize trials.
The project, titled “R-Leaf for Climate-Smart Agriculture,” is funded by the UK Government and implemented by Crop Intellect Ltd in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the UK Agri-Tech Centre and Indigo Ag. The funding has supported laboratory development, field validation in Ghana and Brazil, and the design of a carbon removal methodology.
While the forum examined the technical findings, detailed scientific explanations were provided in interviews conducted after the programme.
Turning Pollution into Fertiliser
In a post-event interview, Dr. Apostolos Papadopoulos, Founder and CEO of Crop Intellect Ltd, explained that the technology adapts photocatalysis — a process traditionally used in air and water purification — for agriculture.
By modifying titanium dioxide to respond to visible sunlight rather than only ultraviolet radiation, researchers enabled the material to function under normal farming conditions. When sprayed onto crops, microscopic particles settle on the leaves and, under sunlight, convert atmospheric nitrogen oxides into nitrate, a form of nitrogen that plants can absorb.
Unlike conventional fertilisers, the product does not contain nutrients. Instead, it generates nitrogen directly from air pollutants.
Ghana Trials Show 60% Fertiliser Reduction
The Ghana trials were led by Dr. Henry Ofosuhene Sintim of the University of Ghana, working with two additional scientists. Maize was selected because of its high nitrogen demand.
Speaking after the event, Dr. Sintim explained that Ghanaian farmers apply an average of about 500 kilograms of nitrogen fertiliser per hectare, a practice that can contribute to soil acidification over time.
Field trials conducted during the 2025 minor season showed that synthetic fertiliser use could be reduced by up to 60 percent when supplemented with R-Leaf®, without reducing crop performance.
Despite limited rainfall — only six rain days were recorded in Accra during the trial period — results from both irrigated and naturally rain-fed plots were promising.
Cost analysis indicates that combining reduced fertiliser with R-Leaf® is more economical than full conventional fertiliser application, potentially saving farmers roughly 200 kilograms of fertiliser per hectare while easing pressure on soils.
Carbon Credit Potential
Beyond reducing fertiliser costs, the technology may also open access to carbon markets.
In an interview after the programme, Dr. Papadopoulos noted that the process chemically removes nitrogen oxides — potent greenhouse gases — rather than temporarily storing carbon. This distinction could qualify it under voluntary carbon credit systems, subject to measurement and verification standards.
Dr. Tristan Eagling, Climate, Nature and Food Security Adviser at the British High Commission, said in a separate interview that the UK Government’s support reflects its science partnership with Ghana. He described fertiliser cost as a major constraint for farmers and said innovations that reduce import dependence while improving sustainability are vital for climate-resilient agriculture.
If verification systems are established, he added, smallholder farmers could potentially benefit from additional revenue through carbon markets.
Easy for Farmers to Adopt
Developers emphasised that adoption requires no new machinery. Farmers apply one litre per hectare as a foliar spray alongside existing inputs.
The aim, project leaders indicated, is to ensure the technology fits seamlessly into existing farming practices.If further trials confirm current results, Ghana could reduce reliance on imported fertilisers, cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil health.For a country battling fertiliser price volatility and soil degradation, the research emerging from this UK Government–funded collaboration points to a bold possibility: the air above the field may become part of the fertiliser solution.
