IFDC grant assists Ghanaian farmers

MUSCLE SHOALS - A Shoals organization is getting some help in its efforts to slow the deforestation of the African nation of Ghana.

IFDC, an international center for soil fertility and agricultural development, received a $584,800 grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development to use for developing markets for fertilizer and farm supplies in Ghana.

Johnny Allgood, director of the finance and administration department for IFDC, said teaching Ghanaian farmers how to use fertilizer in their fields will reduce the need to clear forests to grow crops.

"Hopefully, they will stop ruining the environment by cutting forests down and burning them to grow crops for two or three years and then moving on to another location," Allgood said.

"If they will use fertilizer, they will be able to crop the same area over and over, year in and year out."

Allgood said when the farmers grow crops without fertilizer, they deplete the soil of its natural nutrients. Once the nutrients are depleted, the soil is prone to erosion. Silt from the eroded fields can damage streams and rivers.

In addition to preserving the soil and protecting water quality, Allgood said the use of fertilizer will boost the yields of fields, which will increase the farmers' income. Many Ghanaians live in poverty.

Allgood said the grant will also allow IFDC to provide training to fertilizer dealers in Ghana who will help them teach farmers how to increase their yields.

He said many Ghanaian farm- supply dealers are poorly trained about what formulations of fertilizer work best and how it should be used.

Allgood said many Ghanaian farmers cannot afford to use the fertilizers offered by their local farm supply dealers. Lower cost alternatives are often available but the dealers are not aware of those products.

As part of the IFDC training, Ghanaian fertilizer dealers will learn about the more affordable farm products.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., applauded IFDC efforts to improve farming practices in Ghana.

"Over the years, I have worked closely with IFDC, and I am pleased that USAID has recognized the critical need they meet," Sessions said. "IFDC has a long history of improving the quality of life for rural populations across the world, and I know that the citizens of Ghana will benefit from their work."

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.