Busa women farmers introduced to agronomic practices

Women continue to play crucial roles in the agricultural sector, but a number of them barriers that hinder them from becoming successful farmers. This includes land acquisition, access to credit and markets and inappropriate use of technologies.

To build their capacities in maize production, members of the Ambamba Women Group in Busa in the Wa municipality have been introduced to best agronomic practices in maize production, using quality inputs and technologies to increase their yield.

The 80-women smallholder farmer group was established in partnership with Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Upper West/Ambamba Listening Club, Markteshim West Africa and Big Ajar Enterprise.

It is being funded through the USAID-funded Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE) programme, with technical support from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).

Mr Francis Essuman, Regional Coordinator, USAID/ADVANCE project, at a field day in Busa, said with the support of private sector companies, the project had established 180 demonstration sites in northern Ghana out of which 40 are in the Upper West Region.

He said the project focused on rice, maize and soyabean production and harvesting in northern Ghana as a way of supporting government’s commitment to strengthen food security.

Mr Essuman said the project adopted a market facilitation value chain approach that linked 125 semi-commercial farmers and 34,000 smallholder farmers to have access to finance and  appropriate use of technologies.

Mr Abdulai Abubakari, Municipal Crops Officer of  MoFA, noted that with the appropriate support, the project would continue to offer farmers the necessary technical support.

Zenabu Adama, one of the beneficiaries, expressed appreciation to the sponsors and implementers of the project.

Source: GNA/Ghana