The Kpong Irrigation Scheme (KIS) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has organized a day field training for rice farmers and seed growers at Asutuari in the Greater Accra Region, on best farming practices to reduce the cost of production and increase yield at harvest.
Farmers across the globe have been face with some challenges relating to climate changes, funding, and market for produce among others; a situation which has landed most farmers defaulting in payment of loans taken from financial institutions.
According to the Scheme Manager of Kpong Irrigation Scheme, Mr. Joseph Nartey, the scheme has the oversight responsibility over farmers especially, rice farmers.
It also the core mandate of the Scheme to train extension officers to educate farmers on new technology, improve seeds, irrigation among others.
“It is our responsibility to educate farmers on best farming practices to reduce cost of production and increase yield at the end of harvest by introducing them to new varieties all well,” he said.
He said the Scheme rely mainly on the Irrigation Project as its source of funds through the water it provides to its clients; being farmers so they could stay in business.
Mr. Narabu James, an agronomy and farm management expert who represented Japan International Cooperation Agency said, “the farm base survey that we have carried out last year indicated that the major problem with rice production has to do with varieties. Our findings have come out with two main varieties by names Zasmime and Ex baika to solve the problem.”
Mr. Christian Konor, a rice farmer could not hide his joy as he expressed himself on some of the lesson he has learnt would reduce the cost of production and increase yield.
“I’m very happy for this program because I have learnt now how to go about the farming business to reduce the cost of production and increase yield at the end of harvest so that I can also make profit to pay off my loans.”
Source: Prince Paul Amuzu/ritefmonline.
