Ivory Coast has a soil pH problem.
Soils in Ivory Coast, like most tropical soils, are heavily acidic. The impact of heavy rainfall, deforestation, and prolonged fertiliser usage creates rising levels of acidity in soils.
This is seen most acutely in Ivory Coast's cocoa belt, which battles pH as low as 3.5 . This presents a major problem to growers by decreasing yield, decreasing crop quality and toxicities, and decreasing fertiliser efficacy. In time and without treatment, it can render soils infertile or non-yielding.
This presents a major challenge for all sectors of the agricultural value chain, and we see it in declining yields and increasing stress, especially on cocoa farmers.
Soil Conditioning
Soil conditioning is the process of improving poor soil to promote the growth of healthy plants. In West Africa, soil acidity (low pH) is a major issue, limiting the ability of plants to uptake nutrients from the soil.
Omya Calciprill is a 2-6 mm prill made in Germany from very finely ground high purity calcium carbonate. It can be applied to established pastures or crops at any time and is ideal for rapid pH adjustment (reducing soil acidity or ‘liming’).
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Omya Calciprill is highly reactive and equally effective at rates 80-90% lower than required by standard aglime. The rounded prills mean it can be applied, on its own or with additional fertilizer & seeds, by hand or with standard fertilizer spreaders.
We have rigorously tested the efficacy of our products and record an average 50% yield increase during surveys and evidence gathering.
Cocobod Approved.
Why use Omya Calciprill?
- Rapid pH improvement means rapid crop response.
- Flexible application means less dependence on weather conditions.
- Excellent source of calcium, an essential nutrient in plant cell structure.
- Allows farmers to carry out regular soil maintenance.
- Suitable for organic farming (ECOCERT).
Application Rates (0.1 pH Improvement)
Application rate depends on soil type, pH-value, and crop.
