A research scientist at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Dr Emmanuel Dugan has indicated that improper farming activities in Ghanaian are a major contributor to the scarcity of fertilizer in the country.
According to him, the nutrients in the country’s soil have been destroyed by bad farming practices.
“Our bad farming practices have destroyed the nutrients in the soil which has resulted to the high demand for fertilizers,” Dr Dugan stated on Oyerepa Breakfast Time hosted by Akua Aseiduaa.
He explained that when one crop is cultivated on the same piece of land for years, it does not help the soil to regain its nutrients.
“If you plant one crop on the same land for some years, the soil cannot gain its nutrients again therefore, farmers would be compelled to demand for more fertilizers to support their crops. The fertilizers would be insufficient when the demand goes high”. Dr Dugan stated.
He however urged Ghanaian farmers to adopt crop rotation system of farming.
Crop rotation is the practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same plot of land to improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil, and combat pest and weed pressure.
The researcher indicated that the Crop rotation system of planting can help the soil to regain its nutrients in order not to seek more fertilizers.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/Ruth Obeng
