Does Fertilizer Use Affect Maize Yields in Ghana?
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Date
2021-09
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Abstract
In 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.
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Keywords
Fertilizers, Use efficiency, Food security