Upper West draws list of major agriculture related problems

Wa, April 19, GNA - About 40 extension staff, researchers and representatives of farmers in the Upper West Region are holding a meeting at Wa to draw a list of four out of the 12 agriculture related problems considered as most urgent and common throughout the region. Already each of the eight districts in the region has identified problems impeding agricultural development in their districts some of which are peculiar to specific districts while others cut across the entire region.

Dr Saaka Buah, the Coordinator of research-extension, farmer linkage committee (RELC) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, told newsmen that this was to enable MOFA and its partners to prepare an action plan aimed at solving the major problems facing farmers in the region.

He said problems relating to research, credit, extension and policy issues would be addressed to the appropriate body for action while funding would also be sourced to tackle problems that need outside assistance.

Some of the problems identified include high infestation of termites on cereal crops in the field, declining soil fertility and striga infestation, high mortality rate in rural poultry and high post harvest losses.

Other problems include inadequate knowledge in the use of agro-chemicals, low adoption rate of agricultural technologies and limited use of improved seeds and planting materials by farmers. Dr A. B. Salifu, the Director of the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute, said the country's agricultural production could greatly improve and increase if farmers put into practice knowledge imparted to them by researchers and extension staff.