Characterization of farmers and the effect of fertilization on maize yields in the Guinea Savannah, Sudan Savannah, and Transitional agroecological zones of Ghana

Adzawla, William; Atakora, Williams K.; Kissiedu, Isaac N.; Martey, Edward; Etwire, Prince Maxwell; Gouzaye, Amadou; Bindraban, P.S.

doi:10.1016/j.bioeco.2021.100019

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The estimated yields in this study were lower than the yields reported by MoFA due to differences in estimation methods (Adzawla et al, 2023). Consistent with previous studies (Buah et al, 2017;Klutse et al, 2018;Adzawla et al, 2021a;Boullouz et al, 2022;Kouame et al, 2023), the use of different fertilizer formulations resulted in a significant increase in yield among the farmers. Nonetheless, the AE and PFP values estimated in this study were low at 2.0-2.9 and 13.7-18.5 kg/kg, respectively (Table 5).…”

Section: Fertilizer Use Efficiency Among Maize Farmerssupporting

confidence: 88%

“…For instance, the low reliance on saved seeds has constraint potentials for increase yields and the low access to tractor services has resulted in untimely planting for some farmers. There is also reported low access to mineral fertilizers at communities that are far from the district capitals (Adzawla et al, 2021a). Other challenges include an overreliance on rainfed agriculture; inappropriate use of fertilizer through broadcasting and applying the fertilizers not early enough for the uptake by the crops, improved seeds, and other inputs; limited use of agricultural machinery; poor infrastructure; climate change (Adu et al, 2014;Awunyo-Vitor et al, 2016;Ntiamoah et al, 2022); soil acidity; and, until recently, a blanket fertilizer application rate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These challenges make it difficult to maintain high yields over the long term. Meanwhile, the use of improved technologies such as improved seeds and appropriate fertilizers and farm management practices such as effective weed control can result in yields of 5-8 mt/ha or even higher for the Ghanaian maize farmer (Adzawla et al, 2021b;Boullouz et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fertilizer use efficiency and economic viability in maize production in the Savannah and transitional zones of Ghana

Adzawla,

Setsoafia,

Setsoafia

et al. 2024

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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Increasing fertilizer use is highly justified for sustainable agricultural intensification if yield response, fertilizer use efficiency (FUE), and economic viability of fertilizer application are high. Despite the increasing fertilizer application rates in Ghana, yields only marginally increased. Also, the recent fertilizer price hikes post COVID-19 revived concern for economic analysis of fertilizers. This study analyzed the FUE and economic viability of fertilizer use in maize production in Guinea/Sudan Savannah and Transitional/Deciduous zones of Ghana. Survey data from 2,673 farmers in the 2019, 2020, and 2021 production seasons were used. The average agronomic efficiency (AE), partial factor productivity (PFP), and value-cost ratio (VCR) of fertilizer use were 2.2 kg of grains per kilogram of fertilizer, 18.3 kg grains per kilogram of fertilizer, and 1.8 Ghana cedis of marginal yield per Ghana cedi spent on fertilizer, respectively. Fertilizer use was economically viable for only 28.1% of farmers with a VCR of 2 or higher, while 52.5% reached the break-even point with a VCR of at least 1. Various fertilizer formulations, including NPK plus sulfur, and adoption of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices, particularly improved seeds, organic fertilizers, and minimum tillage, improved maize yield response to fertilizer and thus the FUE. These low efficiency and economic viability of fertilizer use are prevailing conditions in other sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries and these do not guarantee sustainable food security and improved livelihood of the farmers in the region. Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), together with relevant stakeholders, should provide guidance on ISFM and intensify farmer education through farmer associations to increase the adoption of ISFM. The local government should work with other relevant stakeholders to improve the market conditions within the agriculture sector, for instance, by linking farmers to city markets for favorable output prices.

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Section: Fertilizer Use Efficiency Among Maize Farmerssupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fertilizer use efficiency and economic viability in maize production in the Savannah and transitional zones of Ghana

Adzawla,

Setsoafia,

Setsoafia

et al. 2024

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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“…The risk of low maize yield was noted to be high in Nitosols when mineral fertilizers were applied. In addition, the low response of maize yield to fertilizer has been reported by several studies (6), which raises questions about the contribution of fertilizer in closing the maize yield gap in Ghana. In the same context of the findings from this study, Kouame et al (8) found that 50% of maize yield variability under farm conditions could be explained by Tmin, Tmax, soil waterholding capacity, root zone depth, sand content, phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers, and pH.…”

Section: Yield Gap Analysismentioning

confidence: 95%

“…On average, the application rate of fertilizer in Ghana is 20 kg ha -1 (5), with major differences in application rates between farmers and average maize yields of 1.9 t ha -1 . The large difference in application rates among famers with low yields implies a low fertilizer use efficiency (6). The low inherent soil fertility limits the yield response to fertilizer (7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An integrative approach based on crop modeling and geospatial and statistical analysis to quantify and explain the maize (Zea mays) yield gap in Ghana

Boullouz

Bindraban²,

Kissiedu³

et al. 2022

Front. Soil Sci.

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In Ghana, maize (Zea mays) is a crop crucial to achieving food and nutrition security. Maize consumption has increased exponentially over the past decades and contributes to 25% of the caloric consumption in the country. In order to assist in decision-making and guide investment in sustainable intensification of maize production, this study set out to identify the determinants of yield and to arrive at potential interventions for closing the maize yield gap. These were quantified using analytical approaches that combine a light use efficiency crop model (LINTUL-1) with statistical and geospatial analyses. Legacy data, auxiliary covariables, and maize fertilizer trials on eight experimental stations in Ghana were used in this study. Overall, the maize yield gap across the stations and trial treatments ranged from 17% to 98%. The variation in yield gap within a single station indicates a significant scope for closing the yield gap through site-specific nutrient management. Multiple linear regression models that explained 81% of the variability in maize yield gap identified soil organic matter, soil water-holding capacity, root zone depth, rainfall, sulfur fertilizer, and nitrogen fertilizer, in that order of importance, as the major determinants for closing the yield gap in the major agroecological zones of Ghana. The yield gap decreased by 1.4 t ha-1 with a 1% increase in soil organic matter. A 1 mm increase of the soil water-holding capacity reduced the yield gap by 1.06 t ha-1, while an increase in pH and in the application of potassium fertilizer widened the gap. These results suggest that both soil physical and chemical properties, together with weather data, should be taken into consideration to arrive at site-specific fertilizer recommendation and other agronomic practices.

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Identifying drivers for variability in maize (Zea mays L.) yield in Ghana: A meta-regression approach

Kouame

Bindraban

Kissiedu

et al. 2023

Agricultural Systems

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Characterization of farmers and the effect of fertilization on maize yields in the Guinea Savannah, Sudan Savannah, and Transitional agroecological zones of Ghana

Cited by 8 publications

References 19 publications

Fertilizer use efficiency and economic viability in maize production in the Savannah and transitional zones of Ghana

Fertilizer use efficiency and economic viability in maize production in the Savannah and transitional zones of Ghana

An integrative approach based on crop modeling and geospatial and statistical analysis to quantify and explain the maize (Zea mays) yield gap in Ghana

Identifying drivers for variability in maize (Zea mays L.) yield in Ghana: A meta-regression approach

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