A research center specialised in fertilisers & soil testing has been opened in Accra to provide farmers with valuable data on the quality of fertilisers and a scientific analysis of soil & sediments.
The inauguration of this lab is part of this African country sustained efforts to encourage the use of eco-friendly fertilizers through a better control of the manufacturing, processing, importation and sales of these soil additives (natural/chemicals).
The average use of fertilizer in Africa is about 5-8 kilograms per hectare, which is below the worldwide recommendations. A number of African countries seek now to increase the applications to at least 50 kg per hectare.
Ghana’s consumption of fertilizer is growing rapidly due to the subsidy program which the government has set up to widen access to fertilizer to include small farmers.
The number of importers of fertilizer companies reached 45 firms in 2008, which has seen the volumes of fertilizers supplies in Ghana grow from 187,000 metric tons in 2008 to 458,000 metric tons in 2013.
Experts say African farmers need quality fertilizers and high-yielding crops varieties so that they will be able to ensure self-reliance and food security to the impoverished continent.
