The Ministry of Food and Agriculture says the Akufo-Addo led government is working hard with local fertiliser producers to produce quality organic fertilisers on a large scale for farmers across the country.The mass production of quality organic fertilizer, according to Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto will prevent a possible food shortage in the country.

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“We will have a close collaboration with local producers of organic fertilisers to see how we maximise your businesses to help us bridge the fertiliser gap, if not completely, at least we make the effort to bridge a higher percentage of the fertiliser requirement.

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”Addressing the media following a stakeholder meeting with local fertiliser producers on the production and promotion of quality organic fertilisers domestically in Accra, the Agriculture Minister attributed the shortage of agro-chemicals and fertilisers to the Russia-Ukraine invasion.Mr Akoto mentioned that the international sanctions on Russia has also made global trading very difficult.

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“In a catastrophic situation, you have to be able to adapt and come out stronger. So we feel that we need to encourage the production of quality organic fertiliser domestically,”“And I believe we have been very successful with this programme in the last 5 years that I have been in charge of the ministry by targeting fertiliser and improved seeds for distribution to farmers.

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”According to the minister, the essence of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) is basically to grow farm productivity, especially on smallholder farms.However, he noted that the Russia-Ukraine invasion has also affected the PFJ programme.He says the impact has deprived more farmers of the benefit of modern technology of seed and fertiliser.Source: The Independent Ghana

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