Accra:Boulgou The Burkina Faso Phosphate Mining Company (SEPB) showcased the interim results of their new NPK 12-30-10 fertilizer, specifically developed for rice cultivation, during a guided tour of the Zourma plain in Boulgou province. This fertilizer, made in Koupla, is intended to enhance rice productivity, cut down fertilization costs, and aid in soil restoration.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Claude Bienvenu Zongo, an extension officer from SEPB, reported that plots fertilized with NPK 12-30-10 exhibited superior performance in terms of tillering and panicle development compared to traditional peasant practices. The new fertilizer led to an average of 21 tillers per plot, as opposed to 17 with traditional methods, and an increased number of panicles, 18 compared to 16, along with longer panicle lengths.
These promising interim results indicate potential benefits, although the final yields per hectare will only be confirmed after the harvest.
The new fertilizer formulation also offers economic benefits by reducing the fertilizer requirement from four bags per hectare to three, potentially lowering costs for rice producers. Zongo assured that the product is affordable and available through regional distributors.
Additionally, the fertilizer incorporates dolomite, a mineral that helps address soil acidity and improve soil structure. SEPB recommends using this fertilizer in conjunction with organic manure and short-cycle rice varieties, particularly those maturing in 90 days, to better adapt to climate challenges and reduced rainfall.
Rasman Nikiema, an agricultural engineer from the Directorate of Extension and Research-Development, expressed optimism about the results, highlighting that this is the first time fertilizers tailored to local crops such as rice and maize have been formulated. He emphasized the importance of disseminating this locally developed research on a broader scale.
SEPB's initiative aims to promote national research and enhance agricultural production, potentially contributing to Burkina Faso's food sovereignty and the use of locally produced inputs.