Have you ever wondered how the type of soil beneath your feet can determine the success of your farming endeavours? Exploring the intricate relationship between soil composition, crop selection, and agricultural practices could unlock the secrets to thriving in the world of farming.
To this end, a Desk Officer in charge of Extension, Stephen wonder Ziga has urged farmers to seek technical and extension support services from Agric officers before purchasing, or choosing a land for their farming operations.
According to Mr. Ziga, this will better provide farmers and agric entrepreneurs the ability to choose the best soil type most suitable for their crops and animal husbandry for their businesses.
In an interview with Enyonam Manye on the Ghanaian Farmer Show on Radio Gold last Sunday, January 19, 2025, Mr. Ziga admonished farmers to have proper consultation with land owners and experts to get the best land for farming their activities. “It is really important to know the type of land for the type of crop for cultivation. For example, if you want to consider poultry, you need to have it in the back of your mind that poultry birds are zoonotic and therefore able to transfer their diseases to human beings and as a result, the farmer might want to open their farm outside of a human dwelling,” he opined.
Mr. Ziga also added “it is imperative to know the differences between soils with both alkaline and acidic sources. This will aid the agriculturalist to know what crops to plant on what lands. And to achieve this, soil chemical analysis has to be conducted to know what to do on that particular land.”
The Agric Officer also delved into the significance of drainage and topography in agriculture, and revealed how these factors influence crop growth, soil health, and overall farm productivity and success.
“Sandy soil is not good for planting unless for vegetables; due to its low water holding capacity. Clay soil is good for carrot, cucumber and sweet potatoes, whereas loamy soil is ideal for sugarcane and cotton because of its water holding capacity.”
In his concluding remarks on The Ghanaian Farmer Show, Mr. Ziga appealed to farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs alike should interested in verifying pests and diseases that may be on farmlands before making any financial commitments. “You have to find out from the people in the vicinity the common pests and diseases in that locality, and that knowledge will give the farmers an idea of how to control pest infestation.”
He also highlighted the significance of market presence and accessibility of roads to the lands. Mr. Ziga again believes political stability needs to be taken into consideration, because the farmer needs peace and order to have the comfort needed to go about their farming activities.
Reporting By Stephen Freeman, Accra.
