SURVEY OF THE USE OF ORGANIC MANURE AMONG VEGETABLE FARMERS IN SELECTED DISTRICTS IN GHANA

A study on the use of organic manure among vegetable farmers in three districts of Ghana was carried out from April 2006 to May 2006. A total of 120 vegetable farmers, 40 respondents each from the three districts were picked for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11. Many of the farmers (75%) in all the districts together were found to apply fertilizer in their farming activities. A higher number of the fertilizer applicants, 25 (83.3%) out of 30, 20(76.9%) out of 26 and 19(55.9%) out of 34 respondents within Shama, Birim and Sissala districts respectively applied only organic fertilizer. The kind of organic fertilizer used by the farmers in the districts might be related to the availability. Respondents cited the cheapness and effectiveness of organic manure as the reasons behind their use. The bulkiness and transportation difficulties associated with organic manure were cited as the major limiting factors affecting the use of manures. Though the farmers received some education on organic manure application from mainly family members and extension agents, the education was considered not enough by them, and suggested the need to provide more education on organic manure to promote its use. The education on processing of organic manure, timing of application, placement of the manure, and the proper amount of manure to be applied should be intensified to help farmers maximise yield