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GIC trains 40 extension officers on good farming practices

By
Eunice Tekie Tei, GNA

Koforidua, Dec. 2,
GNA – The Green Innovation Center (GIC) in partnership with Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has offered training to 40
Agricultural Extension Agents (AEA) on good farming practices in the
cultivation of rice and maize in the country.

The programme is a
collaboration between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under
its “ONE WORLD – NO HUNGER” initiative.

Participants were
taken through topics such as conservation agriculture, variety selection, site
preparation, land preparation and planting, weed and fertilizer management,
nutrient management, disease, pest management and safe use of pesticides among
others.

Mr David Darkoh of
GIZ said the training was the second effort being held for participants
selected from 25 districts across the country.

He said the training
is expected to catalyse and sustain an inclusive agricultural transformation by
improving food safety and security through increased knowledge about good
farming practices and management.

Mr Darkoh said the
participants are expected to conduct further training for smallholder maize and
rice farmers to increase their productivity, profitability, create jobs and
improve the general livelihood and nutrition of the beneficiary farmers.

The participants at
the training were selected from Yilo Krobo, Atiwa West, Asene Manso, Akroso,
Achiase, Okere, Birim North, Birim South, New Juaben South, Abuakwa North,
Fanteakwa South, Kwahu West and Asuogyaman districts of the Eastern Region.

Mr Darkoh said the
programme would also focus on seed producers, agro-chemical and input dealers
and processors in the maize value chain.

He said the GIZ and
GIC would continue to collaborate to build the capacity of smallholder maize
and rice farmers to increase their productivity, income and create employment.

Mr Henry Crenstil,
the Eastern Regioanl Director of Agriculture, urged the participants to ensure
that the lessons gained from the training would be put to good use.

Mr Pine Pienaar, the
Team Leader of Agriculture and Finance Consultants (AFC), urged participants to
ensure the success of the programme by offering intensive training for
smallholder farmers in their respective districts.

The Green Innovation
Centre – Ghana (GIC) Ghana focuses on two value chains, maize and rice in
Brong-Ahafo, Ashanti, Central, Eastern, and Volta regions.

GNA

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