Dry-season vegetable farmers in Ghana face increased dependency on chemical fertilizer and supplementary water inputs due to decreased soil productivity caused by prolonged cultivation that has mined the soil's previously high organic matter content. Farmers also complain of increased incidence of pests and diseases. These factors increase capital and labour costs and risks associated with production. Use of green and animal manures and composts provides a low-cost alternative to chemical fertilizers, replacing, or used in conjunction with purchased inputs. Increased organic matter content also improve longer-term soil productivity, and water-retention capacity. These techniques provide sustainable ways of intensifying cropping in a region where increasing population pressure challenges the sustainability of traditional long duration fallow-based systems.