Assessment of farmers' knowledge on fertilizer usage for peri-urban vegetable production in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana

How to optimize fertilizer application (i.e. by choosing the best fertilizer types, dosage, time of application, and application methods) to sustain and increase crop production and quality in intensively cropped weathered soils in Ghana is understudied. The purpose of the study was to assess farmers' knowledge on fertilizer usage for intensive vegetable production in peri-urban areas in Ghana where production and marketing of vegetables cause significant export of nutrients from farms. Data were collected from 180 peri-urban vegetable growers in Abesim and Yawhima in the Sunyani Municipality using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The study showed that vegetable production constituted 65% and 70% of the total annual income of farmers in Abesim and Yawhima, respectively. Ninety-seven percent of the farmers used mineral fertilizers to improve soil fertility, but the use of organic manures such as poultry dung was very low even though it was available. Limited knowledge on fertilizer use and management among the farmers and high market prices of mineral fertilizers constrained their usage. Intensifying education on fertilizer use and management through agricultural extension services, the media, and at the point of sales are recommended to improve sustainable use of fertilizers for peri-urban vegetable production.