Farmers in U/E region increase maize and groundnut yield

Some small holder famers in the Upper East Region have for the past one year seen an increase in the yield of maize and groundnuts production and a reduction in the mortality of their animals.

They achieved this because they had access to certified seeds, improved and sustainable agronomic practices and improved housing and vaccination for their animals.

This was made known at a stakeholder’s consultative meeting in Bolgatanga, organized by the Association of Church Development Based NGOs (ACDEP) to discuss the progress of the Resilient and Sustainable Livelihood Transformation (RESULT) project that is being implemented for 10,300 poor small holder farmers in Northern Ghana.

Mr Malex Alebikiya, Executive Director, ACDEP, said the 19 million Canadian Dollar project, which has a time frame of five years, was aimed at increasing and diversifying agricultural production, building on existing sources of income and establishing new income opportunities, including aquaculture.

Among other interventions of the project are training, through community agricultural workers (CAWs), to equip farmers in crop production, livestock and aquaculture and the provision of local weather forecasting and marketing opportunities.

He said the project, which was being implemented in collaboration with the Canadian Feed the Children (CFTC), created many opportunities for farmers and indicated that, interventions put in place helped women to improve their living conditions.

Mr Alebikiya noted that, 70 per cent of women supported in the project were vulnerable and needed their capacities enhanced, to surmount challenges they faced, more especially, Female Headed Households.

As part of ensuring beneficiary community adaptation to climate variability, he noted that, RESULT supported communities in the choice of improved local crop varieties and livestock breed to ensure sustainability.

The Director indicated that activities of the project were integrated into the Medium Term and Annual Plans and Budgets of the District and Municipal Assemblies, as part of mainstreaming MMDAs ownership and sustainability process.

Ms Gail Motsi, CCFT Project Coordinator, said in the past year, RESULT successfully improved skills and knowledge of vulnerable farmers and increased their access to inputs, improved technology, financial services and market.

Ms Motsi said the project was integrating gender equality and environmental management and indicated that, the achievement could not have been possible without support from the five MMDAs namely Bongo, Talesi, Nabdam, KassenaNankana, and KassenaNankana West.

Dr Benard My-Issah, the Upper East Regional Director, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, expressed satisfaction at the progress of the RESULT Project in the region, not only with the vulnerable farmers in the crops and livestock sector, but also in terms of alternative livelihood activities.

“,We hope to see further progress in the future and are committed as a region, district and municipal stakeholders, to ensure that it happens” Dr My-Issah added.

Among other achievements of the project are alternative income generating activities such as soap making, shea-butter processing, basket weaving and beekeeping.

It also includes an increase in the number of women engaged in dry season gardening, access to savings and loans, through the creation of 29 village savings and loans associations.