Isaac Akwetey
26 August 2008
Members, of the Eastern and Greater Accra regions of the Seed Growers Association (EGARSGA), have launched a passionate appeal to the government, especially the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), to support local farmers, in order to modernise agriculture practices.
According to them, over 60 per cent of the total population of Ghana depends on agriculture for their livelihood, which is mainly dominated by small scale farmers, with average farm size of 1.2 hectares, and the use old farming practices.
They made the appeal, at the launching ceremony of Certified Seed Promotion and Advocacy Project, in Koforidua last Tuesday. Speaking at the function, which was sponsored by the BUSAC Fund, in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the President of the association, Mr. James McKeon Frimpong, said it was incumbent on all stakeholders in the agriculture sector, to help local farmers embrace the use of modern technology, in order to enhance their productivity.
He also called on farmers to intensify activities in awareness creation, on the need to use certified seeds, as well as promote easy accessibility of products.
Touching on the project, Mr. Frimpong stated that the primary aim of the project was to embark on advocacy, to help improve the enforcement of policies to favour farmers and seed growers in the country, especially the Eastern Region.
According to him, it was only an atmosphere of laid down policies that could guide the production and distribution of certified seeds.
He explained that until such conditions were created, the farmer could not be protected from the sale of adulterated seed materials, to enable them get good yields, and improve upon their earnings and standard of living.
Mr. Frimpong further stated that the key to poverty reduction in rural areas was to create the platform for the increased productivity of crops.
This, according to him, would go a long way to reduce post-harvest losses, and increase the earnings of seed producers, and dealers in the various grains in the region.
That notwithstanding, he cited lack of mechanized processing facilities, in certain seed-growing areas, as one of the major challenges facing seed growing in the region.
He, however, called on the head of the seed department, and Regional Director of the MOFA, to use their offices to help create seed processing centers in the region.
On his part, Dr. Ofosu-Budu, an Agriculture Consultant, explained that in order to increase the incomes of rural farmers, there was the need to grow varieties of crops that could produce high yields.
He reiterated that an increase in productivity could only be attained, when farmers grow suitable varieties of crops at the proper time, and avoid late planting.
Mr. Ofosu- Budu finally called for the liberalization of certified seeds, to allow the private sector play its role, and help move the industry forward.
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