SOIL TESTING EXERCISE FOR 300 FARMERS IN THE SOUTH DAYI DISTRICT BY O.C.P

One of the biggest fertilizer manufacturers in Africa is O C P (Office Chérifien des Phosphates), a state-owned phosphate firm in Morocco. One of the company’s branches is located in Accra, and as part of their social obligations, they perform soil analysis and provide advice through a program called O C P Farmer School Lab. In the South Dayi District, the O C P and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture started a soil testing exercise.

The OCP Farmer School Lab’s facilitator, Mr. Adzovie Edem, explains its significance. According to him, the purpose of the farm school is to instruct farmers on how to embrace new, cutting-edge farming techniques and how to choose the best fertilizer for their particular farm.

Twelve (12) farming communities were chosen, and twelve (25) farmers from each community were chosen at random. 

The South Dayi District Department of Agriculture’s Extension Agents took soil samples from the farmers, who then had them examined by the O C P Farmer School Lab, which has van equipped with soil test equipment.

Mr. Abotsi Mattew, the District Agriculture Officer in charge of Crops, guided the farmers through Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) in maize production during a grand durbar in each of the twelve (12) communities visited. 

He emphasized that in order to enhance their output and transition from being small-scale farmers to large-scale farmers, the farmers need seriously consider the eight steps of maize production outlined in the manual.

The 25 farmers received the findings of their soil test. 

The suggestions for the type, timing, and amount of fertilizer to be applied by the individual farmers for the upcoming seasons were attached to the hard copy soil test findings.

Mr. Carl Azumah, the district’s WIAD officer, pushed the farmers to organize into farmer groups so they could more readily receive assistance from the government and other organizations.