By Krobea Asante Ntomentwene Tofepa
Farming methods applied by some fruit and vegetable farmers in the country sometimes leave us to question if the health implications of consumers are taken into consideration. Some of these farmers ignorantly apply chemicals to their vegetables and harvest them few days after; others use polluted water from gutters as source of irrigation which poses the risk of contracting cardio vascular infections amongst others.
To curb this canker, the Ministry of Food and AgricultureGhana Green Label Scheme has developed a practical and applicable scheme that is aimed at educating and sensitizing vegetable and fruit farmers to adopt appropriate cultural practices that will benefit both the producer and consumers as this will reduce probability of contracting any disease from vegetable and fruit consumption.
In view of this ritefmonline spoke to the president of Kwaye Vegetable Farmers Association based in Aseseoso in the Akuapem North district of the eastern region, Mr. Clement Boafo on his views on the scheme. He commended the ministry for the initiative and agreed that indeed it was a good way to encourage good farming practices among farmers.
He admitted that some of their colleagues in the business were engaging in bad fruit and vegetable farming practices, adding that the launch of the Ghana Green Label Scheme was timely. He has therefore called upon his colleague farmers across the country to exhibit professionalism in their work, to desist from harvesting fruits and vegetables just day spraying. He also advised consumers to inculcate the habit of washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption as it will help avoid they contracting diseases
