SADA receives 170 tractors to modernise agriculture

The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) has taken delivery of 170 new Mahindra tractors valued at $6,120 million.

This brings the total pool of SADA tractors to 270 in addition to 10 new pickups estimated at GH¢717,600 and three salons cars valued at GH¢191,250.

The tractors are meant to increase agricultural production in the savannah zones and modernise the process to sustain food security.

The new office of SADA located at the former Ghana Cotton Company’s premises in Tamale is also ready for use, says Alhaji Gilbert Seidu Iddi, Chief Executive Officer of the Authority on Thursday during an interaction with journalists.

Alhaji Iddi said the tractors which were assembled by Jubilee Tractors would be made available to farmers during the next farming season.

The equipment would be used to plough and prepare farming lands for the cultivation of soya beans, rice and maize.

He said 25,000 farmers are expected to benefit directly from the tractors to increase their income levels.

“SADA will leverage the livelihoods of the low income earners in the coming years,” Alhaji Iddi said.

He said Pannar 53, a maize variety introduced to farmers in the SADA ecological zone had increased their crop yield to the extent that many of them are rushing for more of the produce.

Demand had therefore outstripped supply.

Alhaji Iddi said the yields from the new variety had tripled production increasing from 1.7 tons per hectare to 4.9 tons per hectare.

He said the expectation of SADA is to reach the internationally acceptable rate of 5.0 tons per hectare which would be achieved in the coming farming season.