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Browsing Project Reports by Author "Amadou Gouzaye"
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- ItemBaseline Study on Fertilizer Use and Food Nutrition Security in the Sudan Savannah, Guinea Savannah, and Trasitional Zones of Ghana(2021) William Adzawla ; Isaac N. Kissiedu; Edward Martey; Prince M. Etwire; Williams K. Atakora; Amadou Gouzaye; Bindraban, Prem S.Smallholder farmers play a significant role in ensuring the food security of China. With current productivity shortfalls, improving crop yields is a major concern to many agricultural stakeholders. The challenges to productivity improvement may be enormous, as it requires an integrated approach. However, declining soil fertility remains a key issue. The Government of Ghana (GoG) over the years has rolled out various fertilizer subsidy programs to enhance the use of inorganic and organic fertilizers. Yet according to the tenet of the FERARI program, the widespread adoption of appropriate fertilizers requires a transformation of the fertilizer sector and food systems that must be driven by evidence-based agro-technical perspectives. Therefore, baseline information on farming in the Transitional and Guinea Savannah zones of Ghana was collected from 1,450 farmers. Objectively, this report provides information on the farmers and farm characteristics, fertilizer use and crop responses, food security, and poverty in the study regions. The study established that access to institutional inputs, such as credit and extension services, was low among the farmers. Most of the farmers cultivated no more than 2 hectares (ha) of land area, with more area allocated to maize than to rice and soybean. There was low adoption of integrated agronomic practices by the farmers, which may have implications for their farm yields. Contrary to the subsistence connotation with smallholders, many farmers in this study cultivating maize, rice, and soybean sell their produce rather than using it directly for home consumption. However, concems over market and prices remain crucial for the commercialization of agriculture. About 80% of the farmers used at least one type of fertilizer during the 2019 production season. The main fertilizers used by the farmers were NPK 15-15-15, urea, and ammonium sulfate (AS). NKP 15-20-20+0.7Zn was also used by about one-fifth of the farmers and was promoted under the GoG's flagship Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program. A lack of funds, coupled with low credit access, was the major challenge to fertilizer use by the farmers. The intensity of fertilizer use was influenced by several factors, particularly extension access, credit access, Poverty Probability Index (PPI), labor, perception of soil fertility, and region. Farmers indicated their desire for fertilizer and other production-related information through information and communication technology (ICT), such as SMS, social media (WhatsApp), and direct phone calls. • The Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) was an average of 7.6 in a range of 1-12, which represents moderate dietary diversity for the majority of the farmers. Dietary diversity highest in Inner East Region and lower in North East Region According the which represents moderate dietary diversity for the majority of the farmers. Dietary diversity was highest in Upper East Region and lowest in North East Region. According to the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) index, about 18% of the farming households were severely or moderately food insecure. To cope with food insecurity, farmers relied on lower quality foods or less preferred foods. The use of fertilizer led to positive impacts on maize, rice, and soybean yields. Although there were lower fertilizer application rates than recommended and regional disparities in the impacts of fertilizer on yields, it was generally observed that there were differences in yield for NPK combined with S and NPK combined with Zn. However, there is the need to further evaluate these yield difference under a controlled trial, in which the application rate of both fertilizer formulations can be better studied. • Overall, yield increase due to fertilizer use was low at only around 5-10 kilograms (kg) of maize grain per kilogram of N applied, compared to 40 kg of grain per kilogram of N applied in developed nations. Similar low responses hold for other nutrients, suggesting other factors depress yield more heavily than fertilizer use. . Although farmers who use fertilizers indicate their importance for increasing yield, no difference in HFIAS was observed between farmers that used fertilizers and those that did not. There was no significant difference in yield between farmers who purchased fertilizers at subsidized prices and those who purchased at commercial prices, Farmers who broadcast fertilizer had lower yields for all crops than those who did not. Also, farmers who indicated applying the recommended fertilizer type at the right time has higher yields than those who did not. Maize farmers who applied fertilizer at the recommended rate had higher yields than those who did not, which was not the case for rice and soybean farmers. The average annual income of the sampled farmers was GHS 6,597 compared with an average household food expenditure of GHS 6,915. The major source of income for many households was farm income. Therefore, improving the farm returns of the farmers would mean that their standard of living would be improved. The results provide a set of indicators for monitoring under the FERARI program. These include farm productivity (crop area, crop yields, and farm income), farm output handling (access to market, sales, and consumption volumes), production factors (fertilizers, improved seeds, labor use and labor productivity, and integrated agricultural practices), food security and poverty (HFIAS, HDDS, and poverty levels), and information and support (access to extension services, credit, and subsidized inputs [particularly fertilizer].
- ItemCrop Yield and Fertilizer Use among farmers in Guinea Savannnah and Transitional Zones of Ghana(2021) William Adzawla; Williams K. Atakora; Amadou Gouzaye; Bindraban, Prem S.To establish the farm yields beyond recall surveys, we sampled 160 farmer fields in the Guinea Savannah and Transitional zones of Ghana to (1) determine the farm yields for maize, rice, and soybean and (2) conduct a socioeconomic survey of the farmers and their farm activities. The major highlights from the findings include the following: Most farmers indicated that capital (income available for farming), rather than labor (family or hired labor) or time (farmer's own labor hours), was the most limiting production resource, with sufficient labor and time adequate for cultivating their crops. The use of fertilizer was absent among soybean farmers but high among maize and rice farmers. The major fertilizers used for maize and rice production were NPK 15-15-15, urea, and NPK 23-10-10+2MgO+3S+0.3Zn. Farmers did not generally use the recommended fertilizer application rates. Depending on the fertilizer type used, maize yield averaged 2.6-3.2 mt/ha, rice averaged 2.1-3.4 mt/ha, and soybean averaged 1.4 mt/ha. From the farmers' perspective, the major reasons for the existing yield gaps were labor, rainfall, and declining soil fertility. Most farmers also had faced production risks, including those related to health, environment, logistics and infrastructure, and finance and markets. A total of 1,566, 921, and 931 man hours were used for the entire production season per hectare of rice, maize, and soybean, respectively. The farmers indicted concerns over labor unavailability and its cost, and these resulted in the use of less labor than required for all farm activities. • Rice production, especially planting and harvesting activities, was more labor intensive than maize and soybean production. For these activities (planting and harvesting), more female laborers were used on the rice farms than male laborers. Farmers engaged in crop farming more as business rather than as subsistence. This high degree of commercialization creates opportunities to engage with input and output market actors more firmly.
- ItemDoes Fertilizer Use Affect Maize Yields in Ghana?(2021-09) William Adzawla; Williams K. Atakora; Amadou Gouzaye; Bindraban, Prem S.; Hamdiyah AlhassanIn Ghana, the continuous cultivation of farmland has led to the depletion of soil nutrients, resulting in declining crop yields and posing threats to food security. This policy brief explores the impact of fertilizer use on maize yields in Ghana and assesses nutrient use efficiency among farmers in different agroecological zones. The study reveals that while farmers using fertilizers achieved higher maize yields than non-users, the overall agronomic efficiency of fertilizer use remained low. Factors such as nutrient formulation, socioeconomic characteristics, and fertilizer cost play crucial roles in determining efficiency. The findings underscore the need for more effective nutrient management strategies, optimal fertilizer pricing, and policy integration to improve food security and sustainability in Ghana's agriculture sector.
- ItemFertilizer Use Among Maize Farmers in Guinea Savannah Zone of Ghana: The Role of Topdressing Fertilizer(2022-08) William Adzawla; Bindraban, Prem S.; Williams K. Atakora; Amadou Gouzaye; Oumou Camara ; Richmond DogbeSoil fertility management is key to improving crop yields and achieving food and nutritional security in Ghana. The sustainable use of inorganic fertilizers is therefore critical. The sharp rise in international fertilizer prices during the last quarter of 2021 has been a major drawback for fertilizer use at the local level. This has created a supply deficit of urea fertilizer in Ghana. As a stopgap, the Government of Ghana introduced ammonium sulfate into its subsidy program, even though the fertilizer is known for its acidification effects. This study evaluates the yields of farmers based on the fertilizer used for topdressing. A total of 369 farmers were interviewed, and physical yield cuts were done on 187 farms. The following are the major highlights of the study: • Most of the farmers had access to extension services and reported positive returns on their yields. Less than half of the farmers (42%) belonged to a farmer-based organization (FBO). Although credit requests were low among farmers, credit access, especially in cash form, was high. Maize was largely cultivated under personal or family land tenure systems and, on average, 2.3 kilometers (km) away from the farmers’ residence. Typical of northern Ghana, the cultivated lands were mostly flat. Most of the farmers hired tractor services in their land preparation. Nearly three-quarters of the farms were small-scale, with less than 2 hectares (ha) of cultivated land. • Nearly four in every five farmers used preemergence weedicide. Only about 2% of the sampled farmers controlled weeds exclusively through manual weeding. About 57%, 18%, 15%, 6%, and 5% of the farmers used their own saved seeds, seeds bought from input shops, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA)-approved seeds, seeds from research institutions, and seeds obtained on the open market, respectively. Most farmers (63.4%) planted maize in July and harvested in October or November. The level of germination varied based on the source of seed, and except for those who used seeds bought from research institutions, farmers had to practice refilling to improve the plant density on their farms. From the data, more farmers who bought seeds from research institutions recorded higher yields than those using their own seeds; this claim was supported by the estimated yield. • The major fertilizers used by maize farmers were NPK 15-15-15, NPK 23-10-5+2MgO+3S+0.3Zn, and ammonium sulfate. On average, a farmer applied 254.1 kg/ha of fertilizer to maize. About 34%, 25%, and 10% of the sampled farmers used ammonium sulfate, NPK compound or blend, and urea fertilizers for topdressing, respectively. Farmers applied their basal fertilizers within two to three-and-a-half weeks after planting and topdressing between four to seven-and-a-half weeks after basal fertilizer application. Most of the farmers, especially those using ammonium sulfate, bought their topdressing fertilizers at commercial price. Most farmers (89%) indicated that the use of fertilizer had improved their yields, and 83% indicated the increase in yield compensated for the cost of fertilizers used in maize production. Farmers adopted complementary good agronomic practices (GAPs), and generally, more than half (50%) practiced row planting, planting at recommended spacing, timely weed control, and use of preemergence weedicide; about 48% planted improved seed varieties; and less than 15% practiced minimum tillage, mulching, and use of organic fertilizers. • The yield level from the 187 harvested (yield cut) farms ranged between 0.6 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha) to 5.2 mt/ha, and the average yield was 2.7 mt/ha. The yield level varied based on regional location and the type of fertilizer used for topdressing. 2 ✓ In the North East Region, the average yield was 2.3 mt/ha. It was highest for farmers who used NPK fertilizers (2.5 mt/ha) for topdressing and lowest for farmers who used ammonium sulfate for topdressing (2.1 mt/ha). ✓ In the Northern Region, the average yield was 2.5 mt/ha. It was highest for farmers who used urea (2.8 mt/ha) for topdressing and lowest for those who used NPK compound or blended fertilizer (2.3 mt/ha) for topdressing. ✓ In the Upper West Region, the average yield was 3.1 mt/ha. It was highest for farmers who did not do topdressing (3.3 mt/ha) and lowest for farmers who used ammonium sulfate for topdressing (3.0 mt/ha). ✓ Small-scale farmers had an average yield of 2.7 mt/ha, while medium/large-scale farmers had an average yield of 2.9 mt/ha, although the former used more fertilizer (277.4 kg/ha) than the latter (200.2 kg/ha). • Regarding the source of seed planted, farmers who used seeds from research institutions had the highest average yield of 3.2 mt/ha and farmers who used their own saved seeds or seeds from MoFA had the lowest average yield of 2.6 mt/ha. Regarding GAPs, farmers who did mulching or minimum tillage had significantly higher yields than farmers who did not. • The fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) among the farmers averaged 14.8 kg of grain/kg of fertilizer. There were, however, variations based on the socioeconomic characteristics and GAPs adopted by the farmers. Most importantly, own land cultivation, medium/large-scale cultivation, cultivation of farmlands closer to homes, and mulching improved FUE. • In addition to the promotion of fertilizer use under the subsidy program, farmers must be continuously sensitized or trained on GAPs, particularly mulching, for sustainable maize production
- ItemFertilizer use and yields of maize, rice, and soybean farmers in Ghana(2021-07) William Adzawla; Isaac N. Kissiedu; Edward Martey; Prince M. Etwire ; Williams K. Atakora; Amadou Gouzaye; Bindraban, Prem S.The material provides insights into the FERARI program, focusing on fertilizer research and responsible implementation in Ghana's Guinea, Sudan, and Transitional agroecological zones. It addresses the critical issue of low fertilizer use in Ghana, averaging 20 kilograms per hectare, resulting in suboptimal crop yields, especially for maize, rice, and soybean. FERARI program aims to enhance the understanding of current fertilizer use and its impact on crop yields among farmers. A baseline study in 2020, involving 1,450 farmers, revealed that 80.5% of farmers used fertilizer during the 2019 cropping season. While many adhered to recommended nutrient management practices, less than half applied fertilizer at the recommended rate, primarily due to inadequate capital. The publication further discusses the types and quantities of fertilizers used for maize, rice, and soybean crops and the challenges hindering fertilizer access and use, including limited credit, inadequate extension services, and concerns about fertilizer quality. Motivational factors for fertilizer use are explored, with a focus on improving crop yields and health. Crop yield data reveal that farmers' yields remain far below their potential, especially without fertilizer use. Different fertilizer formulations showed varying effects on crop yields, with NPK with S proving to be more effective than NPK with Zn. The study concludes that promoting good agronomic practices and developing more appropriate fertilizer products are essential for sustainable fertilizer use in Ghana. Additionally, policy recommendations should address these findings to improve crop production and food security in the region.
- ItemPoverty and Food and Nutritional Security among Farm Households in Ghana(2021-05) William Adzawla; Isaac N. Kissiedu; Edward Martey; Prince M. Etwire ; Williams K. Atakora; Amadou Gouzaye; Bindraban, Prem S.This publication focuses on the intersection of poverty, food, and nutritional security among farm households in Ghana, particularly in the Guinea, Sudan, and Transitional zones. Despite Ghana's progress in reducing poverty and food insecurity, significant disparities persist across regions. The study utilizes data from the FERARI program, which assessed baseline conditions through metrics such as the Poverty Probability Index (PPI), food consumption expenditure, Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) among 1,450 farm households across eight regions. The research reveals the critical role of farmers in the food and nutrition security of the nation, with increased agricultural productivity being a primary means to alleviate poverty and food insecurity. Key findings include the moderate to high food security and poverty prevalence among surveyed households. Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) reflect the diversity of diets, varying significantly by region and district. Families generally adopt coping strategies such as consuming less expensive and lower-quality foods to mitigate food insecurity. Food consumption expenditure data show that households spend significantly on food, with notable regional variations. The Poverty Probability Index (PPI) indicates a substantial likelihood of poverty among farm households, with varying rates across regions and districts. In conclusion, the study underscores the persistent challenges of food security and poverty in the surveyed areas, particularly in the North East Region and East Mamprusi District. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to enhance the well-being of Ghanaian farm households, with the FERARI program striving to support national efforts in this regard.