Randomized trial found improved soil quality and crop yield with organic fertilizer in smallholder farms, indicating sustainable practices are beneficial.
Key Points
To evaluate the effectiveness of organic versus chemical fertilizers on smallholder farms in Ghana.
Randomized controlled trial on 120 plots of land
Divided into four treatment groups with different management practices
Measured soil quality, crop yield, and water use efficiency over two growing seasons
15% increase in soil organic matter content with organic fertilizers compared to chemical fertilizers
Organic fertilizer significantly improved soil quality and crop yield