500 Agriculturalists Leaders in 5 Regions: In Ghana to be Trained on Agro-Ecological Idea by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana

By Abdul Rahman Bangura-

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone– Remarked by Ben Kwadwo Sarfo – a grower, and Project Officer at the PFAG, 11th Hour, an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) was funding the implementation of the three-month project which covered growers in the Bono East, Bono, Ahafo, Ashanti and Western Regions.

11th Hour works with farmers and food systems workers to assist technology that is responsive to the demands of small-holder producers. The beneficiary farmers would be trained to rightly prepare and apply organic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides and same, anticipated to pass the knowledge they would amass to other farmers in their respective neighborhoods.

In addendum, the project would further train them on alternative livelihood support, encompassing livestock keeping, rabbit rearing, mushroom production, snail rearing and poultry to enhance their socio-economic livelihood.

The 50 beneficiary growers were selected from Tuobodom, Akumsa Domase, Kintampo and other farming communities in the region. It’s believed that rightful application of organic fertilizer enabled soil nutrients, saying besides affordability, it same supported to environmental sustainability.

Stephen Aidoo – the Techiman Municipal Director of Agriculture, applauded the training and heaped praises on PFAG and guaranteed that, the directorate would same support the growers to apply the knowledge.

He said the directorate had also prioritised agro-ecology because it remained one of the best ways to sustain the nation’s agriculture, preserve the environment and improve crop productivity too.

Nana Ameyaw Manu, a Former National Vice President of the PFAG and a farmer, expressed worry that some bad farming practices were contributing to climate change, whose impacts were now being felt in the region.

He noted, rainfall and bad weather patterns were having a huge toll on commercial farming, saying most of their crops did not ear as expected this year because of bad of unfamiliar rains.

Nana Manu noted, the growers to avoid felling trees, farming along water bodies, and bush burning, and entreated them to plant and nurture trees around their farms.

Regina Deberi – the Regional Focal Person, PFAG, noted he was elated about the participation and expressed the hope that the farmers would go back and apply the knowledge acquired to bring about positive change in their diverse.

New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports, Africa Correspondent