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Examining the sense and science behind Ghana’s current blanket fertilizer recommendation:

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  • Chapoto, Antony
  • Tetteh, Francis

Abstract

This paper was written to help bolster the case and present visual evidence demonstrating why it is important to seriously consider spatial soil fertility variability in Ghana and to promote area-specific fertilizer recommendations. Using geostatistical analysis of soil samples collected from farmer plots in three districts (Tamale Municipality, Savelugu-Nanton, and West Mamprusi in northern Ghana), the paper analyzes spatial variations in soil fertility. The results clearly show that there are variations in soil pH, organic matter content, and available phosphorous even at the community level, supporting the need for Ghana to seriously consider location-specific fertilizer recommendations.

Suggested Citation

  • Chapoto, Antony & Tetteh, Francis, 2014. "Examining the sense and science behind Ghana’s current blanket fertilizer recommendation:," IFPRI discussion papers 1360, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1360
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fuglie, Keith O. & Rada, Nicholas E., 2013. "Resources, Policies, and Agricultural Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa," Economic Research Report 145368, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. Diao, Xinshen & Sarpong, Daniel Bruce, 2007. "Cost implications of agricultural land degradation in Ghana: An economywide, multimarket model assessment," GSSP working papers 3, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Chapoto, Antony & Ragasa, Catherine, 2013. "Moving in the right direction? Maize productivity and fertilizer use and use intensity in Ghana:," IFPRI discussion papers 1314, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    4. Guo, Zhe & Koo, Jawoo & Wood, Stanley, 2009. "Fertilizer profitability in East Africa: A Spatially Explicit Policy Analysis," 2009 Conference, August 16-22, 2009, Beijing, China 51710, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    5. Michael Morris & Valerie A. Kelly & Ron J. Kopicki & Derek Byerlee, 2007. "Fertilizer Use in African Agriculture : Lessons Learned and Good Practice Guidelines," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6650, December.
    6. Breisinger, Clemens & Diao, Xinshen & Thurlow, James & Al-Hassan, Ramatu M., 2008. "Agriculture for development in Ghana: New opportunities and challenges," IFPRI discussion papers 784, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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    Cited by:

    1. Houssou, Nazaire & Chapoto, Anthony, 2015. "Adoption of Farm Mechanization, Cropland Expansion, and Intensification in Ghana," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 211744, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agricultural production; productivity; fertilizer use; Geographical information systems; Fertilizers; Soil fertility; farm inputs;
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