ADRA to research into mango ‘fruit dropping’

The Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund (EDAIF), has contracted the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) to research and provide lasting solution to the frequent ‘fruit dropping’ challenge facing mango farmers in the Northern Region.

Positive results from the research would make the sector more viable and help farmers to reduce pre-harvest losses.

Dr AnbdulNashiruIssahaku, Acting Chief Executive Officer of EDAIF disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency on Friday during a field visit to Tiamako Mango Plantation in Guba-Pong, a suburb of the Savelugu Municipality.

It was part of preliminary event to the opening of the company’s Northern Zone Offices and the christening of the Agro Processing facility.

The new office would enable groups and institutions in these regions to benefit from the financial package, technical support and promotion of export products being offered by EDAIF.

Dr Issahaku said EDAIF had received many complaints from mango farmers hence the need to find novelty solutions to ensure that farmers reaped bumper harvest and encourage other farmers to cultivate mango for export.

He said the nation could generate foreign income to support economic development from exporting mango. It could also serve as an avenue for employment.

“Once farmers are better rewarded through good yields it will improve their livelihood”, he said.

Dr Issahaku said EDAIF would continue to support and partner mango farmers to process their produce for export and domestic consumption.

Madam FaiziaTaimako, Technical Director of Taimako Plant Research Center, who conducted the team around the Mango Plantation, expressed appreciation to the management of EDAIF for its support.

“So far we have cultivated 250 acres of mango plant, which EDAIF funded 150 acres while the other 100 was self financed”, she said.

Madam Taimako appealed to the organization to support her outfit with an irrigation facility to ensure the growth of the plants.

Source: GNA