IFDC shares ideas with Chemico

Representatives of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) from Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, the Netherlands, and the United States, have commended Chemico Ghana Limited for producing enhanced agro-chemical products locally.

The IFDC representatives who are participating in a five-day international workshop dubbed: Fertilizer Value Chain-Supply System Management and Servicing Farmers Needs, made the commendation during a working visit to Chemico's factory in Tema.

Chemico Ghana Limited and Tema Chemicals Limited, were both incorporated in 1976, as a result of the Investment Policy Decree, which aimed at putting the commanding heights of the economy into the hands of Ghanaians.

IFDC is a public international organization addressing critical issues, such as international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection, and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency.

It focuses on increasing productivity across the agricultural value chain in developing countries. The tour, therefore, was to afford the participants, a firsthand experience in fertilizer production, which is a core activity of Chemico Ghana Ltd.

Dr. Kofi Debrah, Country Director of IFDC, organizers of the workshop, told the Ghana News Agency, that a lot of education had to be done on fertilizer application, to maximize crop yield.

He said: Many people think once you apply fertilizer to your crops, that ensures success automatically, adding that it was not necessarily true. He explained that it was important to know the type of crop, the kind of soil, amongst several other factors.

Dr. Debrah said education on the subject was currently being stepped up, adding that with the right knowledge on fertilizer application, food security would be much better ensured.

Mr. Prince Agyemang Yeboah, Director, Sales and Marketing, Chemico Ghana Ltd, assured the representatives that the company was ever ready to lend its expertise and knowledge in fertilizer application. He stressed that it was important to research into fertilizer application and come up with the best results for maximum crop yield.

Mr Yeboah noted that Chemico has recently introduced onto the Ghanaian market the latest high-tech inputs and extension services, to help cocoa farmers to significantly improve cocoa production.

He said under the programme christened: Chemico Akuafo Project, Chemico will supply the inputs at very affordable prices to cocoa farmers, who will be guided by the companys extension officers in all cocoa-growing areas in the country at no cost to the farmer.

The initiative, according to Chemico, is to complement governments efforts in the mass spraying of cocoa farms. He said the inputs include Cocoasett folia fertiliser, Akate Master Insecticide, Cocofeed Plus Granular fertiliser, Champion and Fungikill fungicides and Pulmic Amazona CP 15 hand sprayers.

Mr Yeboah said these inputs, which have successfully undergone series of trials, can improve yield by, at least, 50 per cent or more.

He said to ensure the right application of the products, Chemico has assembled 20 of its newly-engaged agricultural graduates who were taken through an extensive training programme at the Bunso Cocoa College, to be able to guide cocoa farmers.