Farmers lacking knowledge on most aspects of the agriculture sector has contributed to issues bedeviling the sector and their inability to meet production target. Some of these issues normally involve farmer’s lack of much knowledge of the correct composition and of fertilizer which always land farmers in wrong application of fertilizer.
In correction of this, the West Africa Fertilizer Programme has organized a week long sensitization programme on the Act 823 which is labelled as the plant and fertilizer Act enacted by parliament in 2010 to help protect farmers from ail in the fertilizer value chain.
The national coordinator for WAFP, Mr. Joshua Adjoteye on Rite FM’s Morning Ride threw more light on the need to educate farmers and stakeholders on the Act, explaining it is a three (3) parts sectioned act, embracing a section for seed, plant protection and fertilizer which according to him gives farmers the mandate to demand value for their money by asking input dealers to weigh their fertilizer anytime they purchase.
He added the Act 823 is also meant to help farmers to buy quality fertilizers with the right composition.
He mentioned the week long programme brought on board selected journalists from Agric based radio stations including Rite 90.1, staff from MOFA, input dealers and other actors in the fertilizer value chain.
He said the participants were trained and are expected to continue to disseminate the message and education on the Act 823 on their various platforms. The MOFA staffs are also expected to extend the message to the extension officers then down to farmers.
The programme was held at Capital View hotel at Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
Source: ritefmonline.org
