NGO introduces new varieties of maize to farmers

Tromeso (B/A), Aug 12, GNA - Three improved varieties of maize namely Dorke, Obaatanpa and Mamaba were on Tuesday introduced to farmers at Tromeso in the Wenchi District of Brong Ahafo.

Technoserve, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with Crop Research Institute and Ministry of Food and Agriculture, introduced the varieties at a field day for maize farmers.

Mr Anthony Kwamina Cobbah, Deputy Country Director of Technoserve, said it is the aim of the NGO to help people in poor rural areas of developing countries to run viable businesses.

He said in the last few years Technoserve had introduced a new strategy that started with a market-led approach, as it believed that farmers would only be motivated to increase food production if ensured of guaranteed profits.

Mr Cobbah said Technoserve's role in maize marketing in Brong-Ahafo started in 1992/93 season by giving assistance to a number of small-scale farmers in Wenchi, Techiman and Nkoranza Districts under the Inventory Credit Programme (ICP).

Mr Joe Dankwa, Wenchi District Chief Executive, said the district assembly had given out 1.2 billion cedis in loans to 64 groups and 700 small-scale farmers.

He appealed to the youth to go into farming because the assembly has acquired more than 364 hectares for root and tuber crops farming.