By Austin Ofori Addo:
Mr. Joseph Narh, a rice farmer at Akuse in the Lower Manya Krobo municipality in the Eastern region has been sharing his take on the AGRA rice, a new variety of rice which has been introduced to rice farmers in the municipality. Mr. Narh who has also planted the AGRA Rice confirmed the superior quality as well as the fact that it has a better yield as compared to the other varieties.
This follows assertions by Mr. Phillip Amoah, Extensions Officer at Lower Manya made to Rite FM that the assembly has given out the Agriculture Green Revolution Africa, AGRA rice to farmers in order to boost rice Production in Ghana.
He praised the disease and drought resistance qualities of the rice, adding that most farms at Akuse are planting it and the farmers are really happy and content the fact that it takes only four months to mature and be ready for harvest.
Mr. Narh however added that despite the several qualities and advantages that come with the new variety, a few difficulties come with its production nevertheless.
According to the rice farmer, harvesting the AGRA rice manually without the combine harvest when they are matured is a very difficult task since the branches that hold the rice are very hard. This he laments results in extra cost and losses to farmers.
He however added that the combine harvester was the best to harvest this kind of rice to avoid the difficulties.
Source: ritefmonline.org
