Agric research gets a boost

The Agricultural Technology Transfer (ATT) project has been launched to improve the performance of Ghana’s agricultural research and extension system mechanisms.

The project was initiated by the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Ghana) with an anticipated budget of US$22million for a period of five years to boost the agricultural sector.

It is also to increase the availability of appropriate and affordable technologies to improve the competiveness of the maize, rice and soya value chains in the north to reduce unemployment and deter the youths from migrating to the south for greener pastures.

Launching the project at Tamale, Mr. William Boakye-Acheampong, Northern Regional Director, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, said the Northern Region has the potential to feed the country and needs the effort of all to ensure the sustainability of the sector.

He said small-scale industries in the region play a major role in the country, and when supported with the needed modern logistics could help the farmers to produce on a large scale.

He urged the farmers to judiciously make use of the support being provided to them so that they can earn a living that can feed the family, take care of their children and also benefit the nation.

He commended IFDC for the initiative and urged other corporate bodies to extend their support to the north to help boost the agric sector. Mr. Andy Karas, Deputy Mission Director, USAID-Ghana, said USAID is committed to ensuring development of the rural areas that the nation depends on for enhancement of the economy.

He noted that Ghana has lots of potential raw materials that attract more investors to contribute their quota to ensure the needed economy growth.

Mr. Edo Lin, chief of party, USAID, said IFDC is committed to supporting candidates to increase the number of trained Ghanaian seed breeders and soil scientists to help identify the best seeds and soils for the sector.

“We would also help to upgrade and rehabilitate research facilities at the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute to facilitate their work,” he added.

IFDC is a non-profit public international organisation that addresses critical issues such as agricultural sustainability, international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection, and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency.