CSIR-SARI Encourages Smallholder Farmers to Adopt Compost and Biochar Technology

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research of the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) is promoting the use of compost and biochar among smallholder farmers, especially women, in northern Ghana. These technologies are seen as cost-effective alternatives to chemical fertilizers, improving soil structure, texture, and ultimately crop yield.

The training, which took place in four communities in the Upper West Region, aimed to educate farmers on the production of compost and biochar. Mr. Alhassan Nuhu Jinbaani, an Agricultural Economist at CSIR-SARI, emphasized the importance of these technologies in promoting Bambara groundnut cultivation among smallholder farmers.

Funded by Grow Further, the project seeks to enhance food and nutrition security, climate adaptation, and increased income for smallholder farmers through the cultivation of Bambara groundnut. The lack of improved varieties of Bambara groundnut compared to other crops like maize and rice prompted the need for such training.

Madam Rashidatu Abdulai, a Soil Scientist, highlighted the importance of targeting women smallholder farmers, who often face unproductive lands and financial constraints in purchasing chemical fertilizers. The use of biochar and compost can help improve soil fertility, leading to better crop yields.

Overall, the initiative was well-received by the beneficiaries, who expressed gratitude for the intervention. They believe that the adoption of compost and biochar will alleviate the burden of acquiring expensive chemical fertilizers and ultimately improve their crop production.