FERARI Quarterly Newsletter-January 2021
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2021
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The Fertilizer Research and Responsible Implementation (FERARI) program, in collaboration with the University for Development Studies (UDS), has conducted extensive research and implemented initiatives to enhance fertilizer use, crop yields, and agricultural development in Ghana. This report presents key findings from various activities, including the distribution of New Fertilizer Blends (NFBs) under the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program, surveys on NFB users and non-users, the establishment of the Fertilizer Platform Ghana (FPG), and ongoing efforts to optimize the fertilizer value chain.
The PFJ program supplied NFBs tailored for cereals, legumes, and cassava during the 2019 planting season. Preliminary survey results indicate challenges faced by farmers, such as difficulty accessing fertilizers, high costs, inadequate information, and tedium in application. Meanwhile, the FPG, established with FERARI's support, has garnered widespread industry and government support.
FERARI is actively engaged in supporting the Ghana Fertilizer Expansion Program (GFEP), collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The GFEP strategic plan (2020-2024) focuses on increasing investments in fertilizer production, optimizing the value chain, improving sector development and management, and enhancing public-private investments.
The program has conducted extensive on-station and on-farm trials to assess the impact of various nutrients on crop yields and quality. Preliminary analyses reveal the significance of factors like seed and fertilizer type, hired labor, and herbicide use in influencing farm yields. FERARI's demonstration efforts, including farmer field days, aim to promote good agronomic practices and disseminate information effectively.
The report also highlights baseline studies on fertilizer use, crop yields, food security, and poverty in specific agroecological zones. The Master's Student Research Internship Program is contributing valuable research, covering topics ranging from the assessment of agricultural development programs to framing and discourse analysis of fertilizer sector issues.
In conclusion, FERARI's multifaceted approach, encompassing research, collaboration, and knowledge dissemination, aims to contribute significantly to Ghana's agricultural transformation, with a focus on sustainable fertilizer use and responsible agricultural practices.
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Sustainable agriculture, Fertilizers