The 2nd African Organic Conference – Mainstreaming ... - ICROFS

2 nd AFRICAN ORGANIC CONFERENCE 2012
May 2-4, 2012 in Lusaka, Zambia
overwhelming evidence from peer reviewed papers on the effect of fertilizer trees on crop productivity. For
example, maize yield in sub-Saharan Africa is reportedly doubled and in some cases tripled relative to
unfertilized maize. Whilst fertilizer trees shows potential in enhancing agricultural productivity, adoption is
particularly low in Chongwe district in particular and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. To significantly
increase adoption of agroforestry, Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre (KATC) proposes use of holistic,
pragmatic and appropriate extension strategies involving participatory community mobilization, rigorous
training, demonstrations, field days, intensive farm visits and motivational tours. These extension strategies
are crucial in increasing adoption since agroforestry is knowledge intensive and has a characteristic long
term perspective in terms of accruing benefits from trees and shrubs. This paper explores the potential of
integrating fertilizer trees into organic farming and increasing adoption by combining evidence from peer
reviewed literature and KATC’s experience in promoting fertilizer trees within the organic agriculture
framework.
Key words: Fertilizer trees, organic farming, food security
DEVELOPMENTS&IN&THE&GHANA&ORGANIC&AGRICULTURE&SECTOR&
EMELIA MONNEY 1 , CHARLES SACKEY 2 ,
1
Horticulture Development Unit, Directorate of Crop Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Accra. P.
O. Box M37 Accra, Ghana eomonney@gmail.com
2
GIZ-MOAP, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Accra P. O. Box 9698 KIA,
Accra charles.sackey@giz.de
Abstract
Ghana envisages that the development of a vibrant agriculture sector is critical to the economic
development of the country. To maximize productivity for enhanced growth in incomes and improved
livelihoods, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in Ghana has been mandated to promote the
sector’s development under the objectives of 1. Improve agriculture productivity, incomes and
employment opportunities; 2. Contribute effectively to balance of payments; 3. Establish effective
agriculture ¬ industry linkages; and 4. Promote balanced regional development. To achieve these
objectives, a number of interventions have been implemented over the years with varied results. Within the
last 10 years, the Ministry has focused on the development and implementation of the Food and Agriculture
Sector Development Policies – FASDEP I and FASDEP II
Working within the framework provided by the FASDEP II, the organic desk focused on advocacy,
capacity building, group development and market development for the organic sector. Most of the work had
been done with support from the German International Cooperation Market Oriented Agriculture
Programme (GIZ – MOAP). Achievements so far are 1. The training of 30 MOFA staff and other
stakeholders in the 10 regions of Ghana, on the principles of organic agriculture. 2. The appointment of
core of MOFA staff to further advocate for and promote organic agriculture in the regions. Through the
collaboration of these regional officers in the Upper East Region, the desk is collaborating with the
Coalition for the Advancement of Organic Farming (CAOF) in the Upper East, and Northern Regions of
Ghana and the Christian Aid who are working with CAOF to promote organic agriculture for export and
the domestic market.
Alternative forms of agriculture production that guarantee food safety are considered priority under
FASDEP II, especially in relation to diversification alternatives in agriculture production, increase in
income generation for small and medium-scale farmers and improvement of farmers’ access to domestic
and international markets. Organic agriculture development and marketing when promoted within this
context will contribute much to the achievement of MOFA’s objectives in the FASDEP II.
Key words: agriculture, collaboration development, organic.
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BOOK OF ABSTRACTS