Researchers urged to help increase food production

Researchers and Agricultural Extension Officers have been urged to initiate innovative strategies which would be diffused to address the challenges of food production in the country.

They should collaborate effectively with District Agricultural development Units to implement priority interventions that will help increase the yield of food crops and the general output of farmers.

Mr. Emmanuel Andoh Mensah, Western Regional Co-ordinator of Research Extension- Farmers Linkage Committee (RELC), made the call at a two-day workshop organised for poultry, crops, and cocoa farmers as well as Agricultural Extension Officers in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District in the Western Region at Bibiani.

It was to sensitize farmers on the cultivation of improved crop varieties, suitable land selection, recommended fertilizers, inputs and drugs to ensure bumper harvest of food crops.

Mr. Andoh said disease attack, pest damage, lack of credit, difficulty in marketing and inadequate extension workers were some of the problems identified as affecting crop and animal production in the district.

Mr. Francis Nkrumah Ntiedu, Bibiani- Anhwiaso- Bekwai District Agricultural Officer, urged stakeholders in the agriculture sector to cooperate with Extension Officers to educate farmers on the timing of planting to enable them achieve results.

He called on the government to assist crops and vegetable farmers with storage facilities to prevent post harvest losses.

Source: GNA