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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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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/10568/151463
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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).
    2. 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.
    3. 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).
    4. 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.
    5. 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).
    6. repec:wbk:wbpubs:6650 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Nazaire Houssou & Michael Johnson & Shashidhara Kolavalli & Collins Asante-Addo, 2018. "Changes in Ghanaian farming systems: stagnation or a quiet transformation?," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 35(1), pages 41-66, March.
    2. Amewu, Sena & Arhin, Eunice & Pauw, Karl, 2023. "Farm input subsidies and commodity market trends in Ghana: an analysis of market prices during 2012–2020," 2023 Seventh AAAE/60th AEASA Conference, September 18-21, 2023, Durban, South Africa 365899, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    3. Karl Pauw, 2022. "A review of Ghana’s planting for food and jobs program: implementation, impacts, benefits, and costs," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(5), pages 1321-1335, October.
    4. 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.
    5. Houssou, Nazaire & Chapoto, Antony, 2014. "The changing landscape of agriculture in Ghana: Drivers of farm mechanization and its impacts on cropland expansion and intensification," IFPRI discussion papers 1392, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    6. Houssou, Nazaire & Kolavalli, Shashidhara & Silver, Jed, 2016. "Agricultural intensification, technology adoption, and institutions in Ghana," GSSP policy notes 10, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

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