Conservation Agriculture piloted in three communities in the Northern Ghana 16

The Savanna Agricultural Research Institute in Nyankpala has introduced maize farmers to conservation agriculture through the practice of intercropping with maize and cover crop to enhance the soil fertility for crop growth. Farmers in the northern region mostly engage in bush burning as a means of preparing the land for cultivation. This practice according to experts, has a negative impact as the soil loses it micro nutrient affecting crop fertility. Also, the conventional method of maize based farming system which involves ploughing, harrowing and planting also affect the soil system. In order to correct the system, the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute in Nyankpala has introduced farmers to a new method of soil conservation which is known as intercropping. This new method involves intercropping of cover crops such as stylosanthes, crotolaria, with maize to grow at the same time and the crop harvested leaving the cover crop to dry on the same feild for the next farming season. A Principal Research Scientist In-Charge of Rice Research and Development, at Nyankpala Dr. Wilson Dogbe, highlight the essence of intercropping as a means of conserving agriculture. He further noted that, farmers can improve on their yields under the new method as compared to the conventional method. From Tamale, Noah Nash for Viasat 1 News