Fertilizer subsidies over the years have become an element in the Ghanaian economy. Without regards, its effects on the soils, this has actually sparked a debate in the agriculture sector over whether fertilizers subsidies are good or bad for Ghana’s agriculture development, especially with the rate of decline in yields in recent times.
In spite of agriculture being a leading growth driver for Ghana’s economy, its potential contribution to growth and development has been under-exploited mainly due to a variety of challenges.
These challenges may include low crop yields due to low soil fertility, soil erosion and inappropriate land use, soil degradation and low use of certified seeds and improve varieties.
Existing fertilizer Subsidy Program in Ghana
Fertilizer subsidy is one of the policy tools put in place by Governments of the day to enhance productivity through increased use of inorganic fertilizer.
Despite the implementation of the fertilizer subsidy program since 2008, its purpose has been defeated because, Ghana over the years has missed the Abuja Declaration to increase fertilizer usage among farmers to 50 kg/ha by 2015 (AU, 2006). This has been a worry to policy makers in the Agriculture sector.
Ironically, in an attempt to boost yields and food supplies, several African countries have re-introduced fertilizer subsidies after phasing them out in the 1990’s.
Fertilizer application in Ghana
In Ghana, it is the practice of targeting farmers with a blanket subsidy package of 2+1 Technology (usually 2 bags of 50kg NPK and 1 bag of 50kg of Urea or Sulphate of Ammonia per hacer. Over the years, this equation has not yielded any better results.
According to a renowned soil scientist, Vanlauwe 2011, fertilizer application does not necessarily improve agricultural productivity in isolation of other yield-enhancing technologies and practices such as soil and water conservation. Other soil augmenting investments, such as compost, manure is equally necessary to complement inorganic fertilizer for efficient and optimal nutrient uptake.
It is true that private fertilizer markets have been developed thereby empowering the private sector. However the major setback is the act of smuggling of these subsidised fertilizers to neighbouring countries. The terror of it all is the lack, of empirical data to attest the relevance of the subsidy program in Ghana.
Soil Fertility Status in Ghana
Statistics suggest that, out of the total land area of 23,853,900 ha in Ghana, only 13.6million hectors is suitable for agriculture production. This is partially due to the fact that a larger proportion of these arable lands are characterized by low inherent fertility as a result of chemical, physical and biological characteristics such as degradation, depletion of nutrients, low organic matter content, soil salinity, and acidification, erosion, compaction, water logging and iron pan formation.
Diao and Sarpong 2011 also indicated that, land degradation reduced agricultural income in Ghana by a total of US$ 4.2 billion over a period of 2006-2015, representing approximately 5% of total agricultural GDP for the same period.
Soil testing and nutrient deficiency mapping
This is the analysis of soil sample to determine nutrient composition and other characteristics such as the acidity or PH levels. A soil test can determine fertility, or expected growth potential of the soil which indicates nutrients deficiencies, potential toxicities from excessive fertility and inhabitation from presence of non-essential trace elements.
Soil sampling and testing is a significant tool for assessing soil fertility and arriving at a suitable fertilizer recommendation. This provides information about nutrient availability in soil which is a critical step in nutrient management planning. For instance, Soil acidity or salinity has a significant impact on yield potential and crop nutrient requirements.
The way forward
There are alternatives to increasing fertilizer use in the country other than subsidies. An appeal goes to policy makers to consider conducting an empirical investigation to ascertain the relevance of the fertilizer subsidy program in Ghana.
Considerably more plant nutrients are being removed and lost than are being applied, consequent of the lack of data about soils in Ghana (Gerner et al., 1995).
Complement the fertilizer subsidies with Soil testing and nutrient deficiency mapping to boost yields and food supplies.
By: Bagbara Tanko (PRO, MoFA)