Rejuvenate Gaia Global management, the exclusive distributor of Greenfert organic granular fertiliser products, has acknowledged that it has been a major supporter of the government’s “Planting for Food and Jobs” (PFJ) program by keeping the price of fertiliser for farmers the same this year despite rising shipping costs as a result of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.
The managing director of Rejuvenate Gaia Global, Randolph Obeng-Frimpong, stated that the company’s decision to maintain the price since last year was to help farmers under the PFJ and the general farming population to overcome the shocks of the COVID-19 and the situation of the Russia-Ukraine war during a demonstration workshop in Takoradi for professionals in cocoa and crop production in the Western and Western North regions.
The workshop included discussions about how Ghana’s agriculture industry may be made more sustainable through the use of organic inputs with farmers and district directors of agriculture in the two areas, among other topics.
“The good thing about Greenfert fertiliser is the experimental process after which the farmer begins to reap the benefit of 100 percent retention in terms of quality of crop production and harvested crops while maintaining sustainability and fixing the soil,” Mr. Obeng-Frimpong noted.
The most significant feature of this dual-purpose product is its accessibility to consumers. It improves soil quality while simultaneously boosting crop productivity.
“Cocoa farmers who use Greenfert have been increasing the quantity of their yield per acre, and also the quality of the cocoa crop. We’ve had engagements with COCOBOD, and it’s our understanding that being able to produce organic beans will also help the country tremendously. It’s an exciting time for us as a company and as a country, and we are happy to be part of the solution.”
The Managing Director of Greenfert Group B.V. (Netherlands), Mr. Jos Roodhuizen, stated that stakeholders from all points along the value chain must support the goal of global sustainable agriculture.
“As we talk of climate change and the need for sustainable agriculture practices, organic farming has become more important, with consumers becoming more interested in organic food. A sustainable farm ensures soil fertility and deepens protection of crops and the environment. That is what Greenfert stands for,” he added.
The Western Regional Director of Agriculture, Patrick Akowuah, stated that the introduction of Greenfert, which he confirmed has been utilized by several farmers he personally knows, has arrived to assist solve challenges in the agriculture sector by giving sustainable solutions to farmers and the land.
“We know that Greenfert is organic, and we are also aware of what is happening in the global food value chain, where consumers are becoming conscious of what they eat vis-à-vis the rise in the quest of organic worldwide. This is why we need to patronise organic inputs to support plants and the environment,” he said.
The Western North Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. Henry Fordzor, reemphasized the necessity for farmers to embrace sustainable agricultural practices in light of the government’s intention to raise the proportion of organic inputs for the PFJ this year.
“Considering the global quest for sustainable agriculture, it is not by accident as government had moved to increase application of organic inputs for the PFJ in 2022 and beyond, with less emphasis on chemical inputs,” he added.
“The quest for healthy living and sustainable food production has become a top agenda for government in food production” he reiterated.
In order to maintain environmental sustainability, Ghanaians and the entire agricultural value chain are encouraged to use organic fertiliser inputs as a result of the SDGs’ adoption and the deadline of 2030 for achieving the goals.
The SDGs’ Goal 15 asks for the conservation, restoration, and promotion of sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, as well as the management of forests and the prevention of desertification.
Rejuvenate is poised to create significant footprints across the country to collaborate with farmers on the need to adopt organic farming as a best practice, with the support of the MoFA and other stakeholders through the PFJ.
