Widespread soil acidity threatens Ghana’s food security – CSIR-SRI

Ghana faces growing threats to its food security due to widespread soil acidity, low organic matter and carbon content, according to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Soil Research Institute (CSIR-SRI). Director Dr Collins Tay highlighted the difficulties posed by expansive acidic soils and insufficient nutrients across the country.

The Institute warned that current fertiliser imports may not optimally address these soil issues, potentially exacerbating imbalances if not properly assessed. Dr Tay urged for joint efforts among government, policymakers, soil scientists, and agricultural stakeholders to ensure fertiliser use aligns with scientific understanding and local soil data.

He suggested developing fertiliser formulations tailored to Ghana's specific soil conditions. Funding constraints were also a concern, with the Institute depending heavily on donor agencies for research support. Despite providing vital services like soil fertility information and land assessments, inadequate funding hampers the Institute's capacity to conduct trials and improve agricultural productivity.

Dr Tay emphasized the need for government support to enable field trials and foster innovation in soil and fertiliser management. The two-day Research Institute Review and Planning (IRREP) session at the Kwadaso campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) discussed research progress, knowledge sharing, and strategic priorities.

Professor Vincent Logah, the event's chair and a KNUST soil scientist, emphasized the importance of mentorship and collaboration to drive innovative solutions.