Farmers in the Sabegu community of the Tolon District in the Northern Region have turned to composting as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers as a result of mounting challenges in the agriculture sector. The shift comes in response to the rising cost of farm inputs, especially synthetic fertilizers, which have become increasingly unaffordable for many smallholder farmers.
The community, made up of over 56 households, primarily cultivates yam, maize, rice, and soybean. For more than 30 years, many farmers in the area have been using compost made from organic materials such as fresh leaves, animal droppings, dry grasses, and water.
Mr Abdul Fatawu Seidu, Extension Officer explaining compost to farmers
Depending on the decomposition rate, the compost takes up to two months to be ready for application.
Farmers say compost not only enriches soil nutrients but also helps retain soil moisture for longer periods, an important benefit in the region’s which started experiencing erratic rainfall pattern and dry climate.
Additionally, compost has proven effective in combating Striga, a parasitic flowering weed that severely depletes soil nutrients and reduces crop productivity.
One notable advocate of composting is 64-year-old maize farmer Mahamoud Yakubu, affectionately known as Mba Mahamoud. Married with two wives and a household of 20 children, including adopted ones, he credits composting for significantly improving his farm yields and his family’s well-being.
“I started using compost 30 years ago when officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) introduced it to help us fight Striga,” Mba Mahamoud explained. “At that time, soil fertility was still relatively good, so not many farmers were interested in composting. But as someone who was also rearing livestock, I had access to animal droppings and started preparing compost for my half-acre maize farm. That year, my harvest surprised everyone, and people kept asking me what technology I was using.”
In the year 2000, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) further promoted composting techniques in the Sabegu community.
According to Mba Mahamoud, this initiative significantly increased the number of compost users in the area.
“Back when I was using chemical fertilizer, I used to harvest only 3 to 5 bags per acre. But after switching to compost, I now harvest between 10 and 15 bags per acre,” he said. “Because of this, every child in my household is able to attend school, and I even bought a tricycle motorbike to help transport compost to my farm. All of this was made possible because of compost.”
According to him, his knowledge was enhanced when he started listening to farmers program on radio with experts explaining into details compost making.
He urged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to scale up education and training on compost use to help more farmers maintain soil fertility and achieve food security.
Mr Abdul Fatawu Seidu, the Extension Officer for the Sabegu operational area, confirmed that MoFA introduced composting to farmers after observing consistent complaints of low yields.
“When I arrived in this community, many farmers were concerned about declining productivity,” he said. “I conducted a study and confirmed that the soil’s fertility had dropped significantly. We then trained farmers on compost preparation and application, which led to a marked improvement in yields.”
He noted that initially, farmers were harvesting only 3 to 4 bags per acre, even with some using improved Open-Pollinated Varieties (OPVs). However, after adopting composting practices, yields increased significantly to between 8 and 15 bags per acre.
“Compost not only improves crop yields but also enhances food security, allowing some farmers to reserve food for household consumption,” Mr. Fatawu added.
The success story of the Sabegu farmers demonstrates the value of organic farming techniques in building resilience, reducing dependency on costly chemical inputs, and improving livelihoods. As more farmers adopt composting, the community is seeing a transformation, one that promises long-term sustainability and prosperity.
Radio Bridges Knowledge Gap Between Farmers and Climate Experts
Radio continues to play a vital role in empowering farmers with timely and practical information to improve agricultural productivity and adapt to the effects of climate change.
In Ghana, Farm Radio International (FRI), a Canadian-based agricultural communication organization is working with radio stations across six regions to produce programs focused on Nature-based Solutions for climate change adaptation.
Recognizing the information gap between farmers and agricultural experts, FRI has partnered with local radio stations to air weekly farmer-focused programs tailored to address climate change and sustainable farming practices.
These programs include documentaries, interviews, and scripted radio dramas designed to be both educational and engaging.
In the Northern Region, Zaa Radio in Tamale and Jatafm in Karaga are among the partner stations working directly with farming communities.
As part of the initiative, broadcasters and agricultural extension officers received specialized training on topics such as compost production and Nature-based Solutions. These trainings have equipped them to effectively communicate complex agricultural knowledge in local languages.
Farmers are also given the opportunity to phone in during live shows to ask questions and seek clarification on farming techniques.
Each participating radio station works with dedicated farmer groups in selected communities, ensuring that the content delivered is locally relevant and impactful.
Through this collaborative approach, Farm Radio International and its partners are not only improving yields but also helping farmers build resilience to climate change, one broadcast at a time.
