
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) is championing the use of compost among smallholder farmers in the Upper East Region via the Grow Further project. This three-year initiative, running from 2023 to 2026, aims to bolster food and nutrition security, enhance climate resilience, and boost incomes for farmers cultivating the indigenous Bambara groundnut crop.
Alhassan Nuhu Jinbaane, Principal Investigator at CSIR-SARI, Nyankpala, explained that the project focuses on releasing new Bambara varieties suitable for Northern Ghana, the Transitional Zone, and the Coastal Zone. “Our goal is to extend good agronomic practices to farmers, helping them maximize their crop yields,” Jinbaane stated.
In line with this objective, farmers in the Awaradoone community in the Talensi district have been trained on preparing compost using locally available materials such as maize stalks, groundnut husks, rice bran, fresh leaves, animal droppings, ash, and water.
The Winkogo Daboren community in Talensi and the Sakpare and Kabore communities in the Bawku West district are also benefiting from this initiative.
Rashidatu Abdulai, Assistant Research Scientist at CSIR-SARI, Nyankpala, who led the training sessions, highlighted the critical role of compost in soil health. “Compost adds carbon to the soil, enhancing nutrient availability for plants,” she explained. “It enriches the soil with essential nutrients needed for robust plant growth.”
Abdulai also emphasized compost’s role in climate change mitigation, aligning with Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Rather than burning plant residues, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, composting promotes carbon sequestration. This practice supports our efforts towards achieving Goal 13 of the SDGs,” she noted.
Ayaaba Abanga Simon, the Agric Extension Agent for the Winkogo/Pusu-Namongo operational area, encouraged farmers to adopt organic fertilizer, pointing out that chemical fertilizers increase soil acidity and hinder crop production. Farmer Azure Mark expressed gratitude to CSIR-SARI for the training. “Chemical fertilizers are not only expensive but also hard to obtain. Compost, however, can be produced locally at no cost,” he said.
Rita Anafo, a 65-year-old farmer from Awaradoone, added, “Compost sustains soil nutrients for up to three years, unlike chemical fertilizers, which only last for the year they are applied.”

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