CSIR urges farmers to embrace innovation for enhanced production

The Deputy Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Prof. Marian Quain, has urged Ghanaian farmers to capitalize on the new technological innovations developed by the Crop Research Institute (CRI) to improve their farms and boost production.

The CRI has introduced highly productive and profitable improved crop varieties in Ghana, including cassava, cocoyam, taro, sweet potato, yam, maize, rice, cowpea, common beans, soybean, groundnut, and various vegetables and fruits.

Prof. Quain believes these new innovations will increase food production and contribute to the country's economic growth.

During the launch of the CSIR-CRI 3rd Innovation, Research, Extension and Advocacy Coordination Hub (iREACH) also known as Agriculture Technology Park at Fumesua in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Prof. Marian Quain emphasized that the new park provides access to smart agriculture technologies for students and farmers to learn about the latest crop varieties suitable for cultivation.

She highlighted that the technologies available at the Agriculture Park will benefit not only farmers but also caterers, individuals involved in post-harvest activities, sellers, and marketers.

“We are looking at the whole value chain, thus; those in Agriculture, caterers, post-harvest, sellers and marketers, they all can work with the technologies we’re using here (Agriculture Tech Park).”

She encouraged both the youth and the elderly to take advantage of the new crop varieties developed by the CRI to engage in farming, thereby increasing food production and reducing unemployment rates in the country.

“Whether you are a young person or a retiree, make use of the diverse crop varieties we have developed to enhance your farming practices.”

“When you visit CRI, we will introduce you to our latest technological innovations, which can help you create something valuable for yourself. Our innovation hub is a place where we can collaborate with you, provide startup training, and help you accomplish your goals," she added.

Prof Quain revealed that the innovation specifically, the new varieties of local rice to a large degree are reducing the importation of foreign varieties and this is undoubtedly boosting the economy of Ghana.

“Our new varieties of cereals, including maize and rice, have significantly reduced the need for rice imports in the country, leading to improvements in the economy.”

“We are excited to share that CRI has developed new plantain seeds that can yield a bountiful harvest in just a few months. We encourage all farmers to prioritize this incredible crop for production,” she further made known.

She, however, called on all farmers to invariably work together with CRI to experience great technological advancement in agriculture.

“The agriculture sector has seen significant advancements in production, and we urge all farmers to partner with us to explore new farming techniques in Ghana.”