Dr Fosu said even though the use of chemical fertilizer by itself was not bad, it worked better with a combination of organic fertilizer or biochar or a combination of both.

He said organic matter and the biochar would improve and maintain soil nutrients over the years whereas chemical fertilizer would only provide nutrients for a short period.

Mr Franz Zemp, the Agronomist in charge of the Gbiligu Ecological Farm and representative of the ASS, said the farm, started 16 years ago, was aimed at enhancing national food security through training farmers in organic farming.

This is a natural and sustainable way of producing the local cereals at the same time undertaking activities that would improve the environment.

The farm, which produces organic rice, maize, groundnuts, beans and soya beans, has a teak plantation of over 1, 000 trees, a two-hectare natural forest that has been maintained over the years and other trees including neem, baobab, eucalyptus and cassia among others.

Mr Amadu Ibrahim, Manager, DECO, said the organic fertilizer production was started to offer farmers a sustainable way of food production and to improve the environment.

Mr Ibrahim, who is also undertaking the field trials, said DECO would continue to expand production to meet the increasing demands of farmers.