A Regional Agro-ecology workshop has been held in Bolgatanga with the call on government to make substantial budgetary allocation to the district departments of Agriculture as the units are starved with resources to enable attend to the needs of farmers.
Stakeholders in Agriculture observed that even though the Department of Agriculture now falls under the Districts Assemblies, there no budgetary allocation for them except the allocations made to the National Level, describing this as unfair since the only time budgetary allocation is made to the district department is during Farmers Day’s celebration.
The Upper East regional Agro-ecology workshop was organized to engage with Directors of Agriculture and Planning Officers of various MMDAs to brainstorm on agroecology development agenda.
This forms part of advocacy to promote agro ecology farmers in Ghana implemented by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, ORGIIS Ghana and Ghana National Sesame Business Farmers Association with supported by Cooperate Society Initiative for West Africa and the Joint Action for Farmers’ Organisations in West Africa, (Jafowa).
The Head of Programmes and advocacy at the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Charles Nyaaba, speaking to GBC URA Radio he further indicated that with the budgetary allocations at the district Directorate of Agriculture will resource the Agriculture Extension Officers to carry out their core mandate in sensitising farmers on best agronomic practices.
Mr Nyaaba, further expressed concern over the practice of bush burning especially during the period of Harmattan, saying this harmful practice has contributed to the decline in tree populations resulting in climate change.
He hinted that as part of the advocacy, the Association will be engaging the District Assemblies, traditional Authorities and the media to sensitize the farmers on best agronomic practices.
The Agro ecology as a Sustainable Farming and Participation of Smallholder farmers in Agricultural governance in Ghana is aimed at promoting climate Change resilience agriculture through agro ecological farming practices.
Story filed by Emmanuel Akayeti and Porsper Adarkai.
