Ghanaian cocoa farmers have been warned to get chicken poop to fertilize their cocoa farms as an imminent shortage of fertilizer in the country looms.
The Chief Executive officer of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, who gave the advice said the looming shortage is a result of the Russia and Ukraine war with no end in sight.
He was addressing a durbar at Sefwi Eluokrom in the Juaboso District of the Western North region as part of his working visit to the region.
“Russia-Ukraine and Belarus are the largest exporters of chemicals such as ammonia nitrate, urea, NPK used in manufacturing fertilizers, however, the war has seized importation of these chemicals creating a global shortage.”
“It is about time we call a spade a spade and let the farmers know the real situation on the ground but due to politics when you say something people will turn it to score a cheap political point,” Mr Boahen Aidoo stressed and argued it is time farmers are told the truth,
“The chemicals that are used to produce fertilizer are in short supply because these countries are at war so all over the world countries that produce fertilizer are unable to import these chemicals. So, Nana, I am forewarning all farmers about this difficult situation. The last time when I said it, I was taken out of context. Some people said that Chief Executive says government will not give fertilizers to cocoa farmers in the coming year. Nana, that was not what I said. I was only sounding a warning that because of the war there will be a shortage of fertilizer,” he added.
Mr. Boahene admonished the cocoa farmers to use poultry manure instead and cautioned everyone must prepare for the tough time ahead.
He said, “I want to admonish you to search for chicken poop. The poultry manure is very good for cocoa trees. We are in this country but Ivory coast farmers come to Dormaa to buy the poultry droppings sometimes in five articulated vehicles and transport them to their country.”
“So we should also search for this chicken poop. It is a very good fertilizer. Ferment it for three months to decompose before you apply,” he added.