Dr. Jerry Nboyine, a senior research scientist at CSIR-SARI, has called on Ghana’s farmers to adopt genetically modified crops to increase their yields.
He said that the challenges facing Ghanaian farmers today such as weeds, pest and diseases, spoilage, inadequate irrigation and lack of mechanization can be addressed through the effective application of biotechnology.
Dr.Jerry made the call to Ghanaian farmers during an interview with Yagbon radio as part of celebrating this year’s farmers day.
He said Nigeria is the leading country in west Africa on GM crops adding that it has boost their Agric sector.
According to him looking at Ghana we are little above 25 % of over 30 million population and to be food sufficient we need to adopt science in our food crops.
The research fellow said that science has contributed to food abundance in modern day and must be given the necessary attention in Ghana.
He cited maize as one crop that has being improved by science.
According to him they are done with PBR cowpea and will be releasing into the market for farmers to cultivate.
Dr Jerry said farmers should do away with conspiracy theories adding that our means of transport, communication among others have changed for efficiency so why not accept GMO which take care of pest, disease, drought, fertilizer among others but still give the farmer best crops.
Mr Mustapha Abubakari also said the challenge facing Agric in Ghana is government, Fulani herdsmen and illegal mining.
He called on DISEC to deal with the issue of Fulani herds men as it has a tendency of collapsing our entire crop sector of Agric.
He said the value chain does not favour the farmer which allow young people to run to illegal mining.
Mr Mustapha, lamented how rearing for food and job was poorly handled and hence not making the sector attractive
He said fishing is not doing well as only two people are effectively involved in it in the entire Bole District
He called on duty bearers to show commitment in the Agric sector for food sufficiency
Mr Mustapha again called for demonstration centers to make vegetable and other crops attractive to the farmers.
Source: yagbonradioonline
