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Some farmers in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality in the Central Region have called on the government to explore healthier organic materials to help reduce the use of inorganic fertilisers.
They indicated that crops produced with organic fertilisers have longer shelf lives and minimal adverse effects on the land while farmers have also been trained in techniques to keep their lands adequately fertilised using organic materials as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change on their farms.
The farmers were speaking after a refresher course organised for them as part of the Danish Development Organisation (DANIDA) FruitBunch Project, spearheaded by the Aarhus University in Denmark, in partnership with the University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Ghana and the Agriculture Department of the KEEA Municipality.
The 25 beneficiary vegetable farmers and 15 agricultural officers from the KEEA were trained in ways to improve soil fertility and health to increase yields, as climate change adversely impacts farms.
They were specially trained in the production of biochar and compost as soil conditioners to improve the soil's health and structure for improved crop viability, particularly under harsh weather conditions.
The DANIDA FruitBunch project is an initiative aimed at enhancing food security, improving agricultural productivity and building climate resilience in Ghana, with a focus on crops such as eggplant and okro by promoting the use of soil amendments.
The project's key objectives include equipping farmers with modern farming skills and best practices to strengthen resilience to climate change and create sustainable and inclusive business models.
It was also to ensure that farmers derived financial benefits from their products and applied scientific knowledge to solve real-world challenges affecting food production and agricultural development.
Through the refresher course, farmers were trained in modern farming skills, business acumen, seed nurturing using potting mix, crates and trays, as well as entrepreneurship and financial management, with a focus on sustainable soil practices.
A beneficiary farmer, Agnes Forson, said the training had practically helped her improve yields, adding that there was the need for continuous support to produce the organic soil conditioners to enhance productivity.
Beneficiaries of the project explored the use of local organic waste, such as oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) as mulch or biochar to improve soil fertility and carbon storage.
The empty oil palm fruit bunches were burnt and turned into biochar (powdered form) and applied to the soil to recondition it.
The farmers expressed appreciation for the privilege offered them to acquire hands-on training to augment their work, which they underscored had positioned them well to increase yield for enhanced incomes.
A Senior Researcher and Co-Principal Investigator on the project, Dr Alexander Tetteh Kwasi Nuer, explained that the impact of climate change and limited access to land resources required that farmers be exposed to innovative ways of reconditioning and improving soil health.
He stated that adopting organic ways of improving soil health was essential to ensure healthy produce.
Dr Nuer said farmers were also trained in entrepreneurial skills to optimise profits.
The Agriculture Director for KEEA, Victoria Dansowaa Abankwa, said the uniqueness of the FruitBunch Project could be a critical game changer for farmers.
She urged the farmers to pay close attention to soil fertility and prioritise soil improvement to enhance yields.
