The discovery of synthetic fertilizer has transformed food production for a growing population, but its use has also gained increasing criticism in recent years. While these products provide essential nutrients to crops throughout the season, it’s also spurring increased demand for alternatives.
Reconsidering inorganic fertilizer, amidst the ongoing uncertainties in its supply and negative externalities on the soil when used over some time, is vital.
In Ghana, for instance, farmers have an increased desire for inorganic fertilizer usage compared to organic fertilizer because of its rapid response. The increasing demand for food in Ghana has also led to the continuous and intensive cropping and depletion of the forest cover, subsequently creating adverse environmental problems. However, improved fallow is almost impossible for most resource-poor farmers given the limited land available for crop production.
Most soils in Ghana, are substantially degraded and need restoration to enhance sustainable food production. This is a more complex problem, given that Ghana’s population is projected to increase with a corresponding increase in demand for food.
Organic fertilizers according, to research are carbon-based compounds that increase the productivity and growth quality of plants. Organic fertilizer can improve soil health by reducing the rate of nutrient leaching. Research has shown that nutrients from organic sources are released slowly and consistently which prevents the possibility of a boom-and-bust pattern. It also increases the organic matter of the soil, improves the structure, prevents topsoil erosion, and is relatively less costly. Except for the bulkiness and long duration for it to decay into the soil, organic fertilizer can provide a lot of nutrients to the soil compared to inorganic fertilizers.
Considering the benefits of organic fertilizer, it is critical to rethink inorganic fertilizer. It can be recalled the Deputy Minister of Agriculture; Honourable Yaw Frimpong Addo, earlier disclosed in an interview that “the fertilizer subsidy program under the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) is likely to be revised. The 50 percent subsidy is likely expected to reduce to 15 percent”, He added. This invariably reveals the rising cost of inorganic fertilizer and the financial cost it has on the state.
According to the Ghana’s Agricultural Subsidy report, preceding the PFJ, there was a national crop farming support program dubbed the Fertilizer Subsidy Program (FSP) but the cost of this program has become unbearable.
“The cost of the Fertilizer Subsidy Program (FSP) has become unbearable, increasing from GH¢20.65 million ($3.28 million) in 2008 to GH¢239 million ($37.94 million) in 2017. The amount spent by the government on FSP in 2017 was over 73% higher than the 2016 spending and was by far, the highest annual increment in fiscal allocation to the program since 2008. Between 2008 and 2016, the government spent about GH¢570.80 million ($90.60 million) on this policy.”
Ghana Agricultural Subsidy Report
According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), the results of the FSP was minimal.
“The impact of the FSP on accessibility and adoption by smallholder farmers was very minimal. Most smallholder farmers targeted by the program still could not afford to pay even the subsidized price of the fertilizers. Thus, large commercial and well-to-do farmers became the only beneficiaries.”
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Given these constraints, it is recommended that the Government task the few organic fertilizer producing companies, and scientists to produce affordable, efficient, and sustainable organic fertilizers for farmers to use. While at it, farmers should be educated on the benefits of organic fertilizer usage; also, farmers should be made aware that organic fertilizers are completely compatible and the best substitute, especially with the way inorganic fertilizer prices are right now.
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