Organic fertilizer suitable for soils in the north – Experiment shows
On-farm trials on the use of organic fertilizer have shown that best results come from the use of a combination of biochar and organic manure.
The trials, being carried out on the Gbiligu Ecological Farms near Walewale, involve the use of organic fertilizer made from kitchen waste and chicken droppings.
This is produced by decentralised composting and biochar that can be produced by burning plant material under low oxygen similar to the production of charcoal.
Different plots of groundnuts and sorghum are being used with different combination of organic fertilizer, biochar on its own, organic fertilizer alone and a combination of the two.
The plot under the combination of organic fertilizer and biochar had taller and deeper green colour broad leaves of both crops.
The field trials are being sponsored by the Abokobi Society Switzerland (ASS), an NGO that is promoting the use of biochar in Northern Ghana, to help improve the fertility of farmlands over the years.
This is being done in collaboration with DECO which is also promoting the use of organic fertilizer to help farmers with a cheaper and more sustainable means of improving soil fertility.
Representative of the sponsors and a Research Scientist of the Savanna Research Institute (SARI) at Nyankpala near Tamale, Dr Mathias Fosu, told journalists that soils in the three northern regions were poor in nutrients.
They are sandy loams that cannot hold water and lack nitrogen and phosphorus that are vital for good crop yield.
He said the organic fertilizer not only had the minerals needed by the soil to support good plant growth but also enhanced the ability of the soil to maintain nutrients and moisture for a long period that help the crops when the rains fail.
Dr Fosu said even though the use of chemical fertilizer by itself was not bad, it worked better with a combination of organic fertilizer or biochar or a combination of both.
He said organic matter and the biochar would improve and maintain soil nutrients over the years whereas chemical fertilizer would only provide nutrients for a short period.
Mr Franz Zemp, the Agronomist in charge of the Gbiligu Ecological Farm and representative of the ASS, said the farm, started 16 years ago, was aimed at enhancing national food security through training farmers in organic farming.
This is a natural and sustainable way of producing the local cereals at the same time undertaking activities that would improve the environment.
The farm, which produces organic rice, maize, groundnuts, beans and soya beans, has a teak plantation of over 1, 000 trees, a two-hectare natural forest that has been maintained over the years and other trees including neem, baobab, eucalyptus and cassia among others.
Mr Amadu Ibrahim, Manager, DECO, said the organic fertilizer production was started to offer farmers a sustainable way of food production and to improve the environment.
Mr Ibrahim, who is also undertaking the field trials, said DECO would continue to expand production to meet the increasing demands of farmers.
Source: GNA