Association cautions against passage of Plant Breeders Bill

The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), has cautioned Parliament against the passage of the Plant Breeders Bill.

Nana Ameyaw Manu, Vice President of PFAG, who gave the advice, noted that if parliament should rush to pass the bill into law, it would affect the activities of small holder, who formed the majority of farmer population.

He was speaking at a forum for farmers, chiefs, District and Municipal Chief Executives and some Members of Parliament drawn from the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions at Techiman.

Under the theme: "Policy Dialogue on District Agricultural Governance - the role of Small Holder Farmers", the forum was organized by PFAG, with support from Star-Ghana.

It created a platform for stakeholders to interact and discuss pertinent issues affecting agricultural productivity.

Nana Manu mentioned poor feeder roads, lack of ready market, storage facilities, credit mechanization service and access to extension services as some of the challenges facing farmers in the region.

He called on Parliament to critically study the bill before passing it in the supreme interest of both small and large scale farmers.

Madam Victoria Adongo, Programmes Coordinator of PFAG, said the contribution of small scale agriculture was still the mainstay of the economy, as they contributed 80 per cent of food consumed domestically.

She said even though the government had prioritised and was doing all what it could to modernise and promote agriculture, it was imperative for stakeholders and farmers to collaborate.

Mr Charles Ampofo, PFAG training officer, stated that farmers were complaining about high cost of agricultural inputs, adding they could not repay loans.

He appealed to the government to adequately resource the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to improve extension services would be improved and food production.

Nana Kwaw Adams, Twafohene of Forikrom, and Executive Director of Abrono Organic Farming Project, called on MOFA to promote organic farming for sustainable soil fertility.