Odumase (Ash), June 20, GNA – Invasion of farms by fall army worms and destructive activities of illegal gold miners (galamsey) had become a major worry to farmers in four farming districts - Asante-Akim Central Municipality, Asante-Akim North, Bosome-Freho and Asante-Akim South.
They have therefore appealed to the government to intervene to help protect their investment.
They made the request at a joint district planning session organized at Odumase by the Research Extension – Farmer Linkage Committee of the Food and Agriculture Ministry (MOFA).
It provided the forum for the various stakeholders in the agriculture value chain to identify challenges in the sector and the way forward.
In attendance were farmers, transporters, marketers, processors, input dealers, farmer-based organizations, MOFA officials and representatives of the district assemblies.
The farmers complained that large hectares of maize and rice farms were under invasion by the worms and there was now heightened anxiety that the farms could be completely ravaged and their investment wasted.
They asked that the government responded swiftly by supplying them with sufficient chemicals to neutralize the worms.
They applauded the on-going fight against “galamsey” and urged that it was sustained to protect food and cash crop farms, farmlands and water bodies.
The farmers said high post-harvest losses due to lack of storage facilities, inadequate extension services, bad roads and lack of access to credit, were the other challenges that needed to be tackled.
Mr. Edward Nasara, the Ashanti Regional Extension Officer, said the planning session was an annual event held to find ways of removing barriers to increased agriculture production.
The focus on the discussions had always been on research, extension and policy.
He said the findings at the district level would be used to guide the Committee to develop a work plan to achieve the intended outcomes.
GNA
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