Agri Local

Nkurakan Vegetable Farmers under Threat from Pest Infestation

Vegetable farmers at Nkurakan are hard at work. Not only do they help to feed a nation that contains 29 million people – but they also produce varieties of crops.

However their productivity is threatened by pests that can ruin their crops and their livelihoods.

The attack on vegetable farms by rampaging pests is affecting the export potentials of the affected farmers as the international market is shying away from patronizing their produce.

Secretary for Dorso Cooperative Farmers and Marketing Society, producers of pepper, okra, and other vegetables for export, Mr. Daniel Owula Ozor said the Society was actively involved in the production of various vegetables before the pests’ onslaught.

Mr. Daniel expressed these sentiments in an interview with Captain Adabugar during the ‘Akuafo Sesen’ segment of the Rite Morning Ride on Tuesday.

“For four (4) years now, we have not been able to export our vegetables due to the attack by the insects,” he lamented.

The corporative said very little was done to salvage the problem even after persistent calls on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) following the embargo by the international market.

“The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) promised to salvage the problem by training our members on ways to curtail the situation. For four years however, the association is yet to hear from the MOFA,” Mr. Ozor recounted bitterly.

The association which he noted is now compelled to produce only for the local market is however challenged by the dwindling prices of vegetable commodities during the rainy season as well as competition from ‘opportunistic farmers’ who farm only during the rainy season.

He said for the country to enhance its food security, there is the need for the creation of boreholes, electricity for regular irrigations for farmers to practice all year round farming activities against food shortage.

Source; Prince Paul Amuzu/www.ritefmonline.org/princeamuzu667@gmail.com

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