FAO promotes sustainable farming

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are exploring ways of implementing the Sustainable Land and Water Management (SLWM) project in Upper East Region.

This came to light when a Senior Water Resources Officer of FAO in charge of the Regional Office for Africa, Mr Ruhiza Jean Boroto and the Programme Assistant officer of FAO also at the Regional Office, undertook a fact finding tour of the level of implementation of the project.

Mr Boroto lauded the integrated approach to SLWM, which led to improved crop yields and improved food security and climate change adaptation in the area.

Some of the programmes the project have implemented include the Zai method of farming, Macuna intercropping with maize, composting, control of bushfires, natural regeneration concept, stone bonding and the Village Savings and Loans Associations(VSLAs).

Mr Asher Nkegbe, Regional Director of EPA said the project is being replicated in a number of communities in the region in collaboration with Ministry of Food and Agriculture under the Ghana Environmental Management Project.

He explained that under the Zai concept farmers are empowered with skills to dig planting pits in crusted soils to produce high runoff.

Mr Nkegbe said the pits have a diameter of 15 to 30 cm and a depth of 10 to 15 cm to collect rainfall and runoff.

“This means that more water infiltrates so that water will be available to plant roots. Farmers put a handful of organic matter in each pit, about 600 grammes per pit.

“The Zai concept captures rainfall and runoff, promotes the efficient use of limited quantities of organic matter and ensures the concentration of water and soil fertility at the beginning of the rainy season,” he said.

Madam Tipaka, a 65 year old woman from Balungu community told the delegation that she was able to build a two- bedroom house with a loan she obtained from the VSLA scheme.

A 59 - year - old farmer, Mr Michael Tampolaaba from Wuug, whose maize farm was tussling on his Zai farm expressed optimism that he would harvest good yields to enable him cater for his family.

He said farmers needs not purchase expensive fertilizers with the introduction of Zai concept, composting and macona intercropping with maize.

“In addition, the practice of Zai protects the seeds that are planted from being picked by guinea fowls, forcing us to sow new seeds again leading to more cost and time consuming. We are most grateful for the interventions,” Mr Tampolaaba said.