Chief Executive Officer for Agrihome Expressions, Mr. K. Afrane Okese has underscored the need for farmers to adopt conservation agriculture since it helps farmers grow quality food.
Agriculture Conservation is the preparation of lands to regain its nutrient for planting different crops for the next season in order to make more profit and also produce quality food for consumption.
Speaking on Rite FM’s Agrotech program with host Austin Ofori Addo on Monday, Mr. Afrane reiterated the need for every farmer to accept and adopt agric conservation for the production of quality food.
“It is necessary for every farmer to consider agriculture conservation for its ability to produce quality foods all year round for consumption and feeding of local industries and profits making since farming is a business,” he said.
He added that the forest and lands conserved with trees in the various forestry, produce good crops since rainfall pattern in those areas are encouraging and also dry leaves decay into the soil making it more fertile for planting.
He therefore cautioned farmers especially the small holders to desist from bush burning after weeding but rather grow more plants to help conserve the natural habitat and increase productivity for the agric sector.
He further on explained that, in conservation agriculture, it is more advisable for a farmer to allow leaves decay after land preparation before planting, adding that, conservation agriculture is not a seasonal farming but rather a kind of farming that can be practiced year long.
The CEO mentioned the three principles around which Conservation Agriculture works which include; Minimal Soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop rotation.
He admitted that, most farmers don’t consider conservation agriculture since it is a long term plan and most farmers rely on their seasonal farming for revenue.
BACKGROUND OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE
Conservation agriculture (CA) aims to achieve sustainable and profitable agriculture and subsequently aims at improved livelihoods of farmers through the application of the three CA principles: minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop rotations.
CA holds tremendous potential for all sizes of farms and agro-ecological systems, but its adoption is perhaps most urgently required by smallholder farmers, especially those facing acute labour shortages.
It is a way to combine profitable agricultural production with environmental concerns and sustainability and it has been proven to work in a variety of agro ecological zones and farming systems. It is been perceived by practitioners as a valid tool for Sustainable Land Management (SLM).
It is because of this promise that FAO is actively involved in promoting CA, especially in developing and emerging economies. CA can only work optimally if the different technical areas are considered simultaneously in an integrated way.
Source: Joyce Bedeley/ritefmonline.org/jbedeley9357@gmail.com
