The Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant (KCARP) reports that its 100% organic compost, known as Akuafo Agyenkwa, is highly effective at improving soil structure and increasing crop yields by 30% to 50%.
According to the company, this compost contains a higher organic content that enhances soil fertility and, in turn, boosts yields.
Eugene Amo-Asamoah, the Business Development and Communications Manager at KCARP, said a research indicates that applying the organic compost can lead to yield increases between 30% to 50%.
“What this means is that if you previously harvested about 100 bags, after applying the compost, you would get 130 or 150 bags in the subsequent season,” he explained.
Mr. Amo-Asamoah further noted that the compost is suitable for all types of soil and crops.
The Akuafo Agyenkwa compost has a high water retention capacity, which helps farmers reduce irrigation costs, as it allows water to be absorbed by plants over an extended period.
“We refer to this compost as having a residual effect. This means that if you apply it now, the nutrients are gradually released over the years and remain in the soil. Unlike the chemical fertilizers, the nutrients are quickly absorbed by plants, leaving nothing behind in the soil,” Mr. Amo-Asamoah stated.
He also noted that the compost boosts the activity of living organisms, such as earthworms, centipedes, and millipedes, which are essential for improving soil fertility.
However, inorganic fertilizers can negatively affect these organisms.
“If you use the organic compost, you can cultivate crops on the same land forever because the compost enriches the soil over time. Instead of spending money moving from one plot of land to another, you can remain on one parcel and grow your crops,” he indicated.
Apart from the advantages of the compost on the soil, the compost is cost-effective, with a 50 kg bag priced at just 75 cedis, compared to chemical fertilizers, which range from GHS500 to GHS600.
KCARP produces between 3,000 to 5,000 bags of compost daily, making it a fully Ghanaian product that farmers should take advantage of.
Some farmers expressed their concerns to Plastic Journalist, Fatawu Bayaga, regarding soil depletion due to plastics and other factors, which they say reduces their yields and income.
However, Eugene Amo-Asamoah assured them that KCARP has a solution.
He encouraged farmers to retrieve the plastics, which can be quantified and processed into compost to help restore their soil structure.
