Accra, July 29, GNA - A study by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has revealed that the coupon system introduced by government to enhance access of small scale farmers to fertilizer at reduced cost has proven to be successful. The report launched in Accra on Wednesday shows that the system had helped to increase production and yield levels and enhanced farmers' ability to address their livelihood needs.

Ms Victoria Adongo, Programme Co-ordinator PFAG, said not only had the reduced cost of fertiliser enable farmers to apply the right quantity of fertilizers but it had also led to increase production. "Some farmers, who could not buy the fertilizers previously, were able to do so as a result of reduced prices," she said. The report looked at access of farmers to the coupons, constraints facing the system, the criteria for the choice of agents and sought the views of farmers and agents on ways to improve the scheme. While most farmers were aware of the coupon system, they were however of the view that the timing for distribution for the different types of fertiliser are not well synchronized with their requirements. They also complained that distribution of compound fertiliser was done at the time when the crops were past the stage for its application and required the use of sulphate of ammonia and urea.

Because the system did not allow for cross utilization of coupons, farmers could not use them for the other types of fertiliser. Besides farmers also have to contend with late arrival of coupons while agents complained about delays in refund of the subsidy component, leading to inability of some of them to replenish their stocks to respond to the needs of the farmers on timely basis. The report stressed the need for continuous education of all stakeholders on modalities of the coupon system and the appropriate application of fertiliser and agronomic practices to enable farmers to optimize production and yields.

In addition, the cumbersome procedures must be simplified to enhance farmers' accessibility to the coupons and fertilizers. Mr Mohammed Nashiru, President of PFAG, urged government to increase the current rate of 50 per cent subsidy on fertilizer to make it affordable to additional number of small scale farmers. He said most farmers in the three northern regions were finding it difficult to buy fertilizer at the present subsidized price and suggested a downward review of the cost.

Mr Nashiru asked government to take the research findings seriously and address the weaknesses identified to improve the system. Mr Rav Ebo Bhavnani, Director Project Planning Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture said government was working on a fertilizer policy to guide the subsidy support and make it sustainable. 29 July 09