25-09-13
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| Pannar Quality seed and products |
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| Staff of Wienco Ghana briefing Community members |
Pannar quality seed, a combination of
improved maize seeds produced by Wienco Ghana had received massive endorsement
by majority of farmers in the Upper East Region. At a field day to highlight
the competitive production of maize using improved seed and environmentally
safe agro-chemicals, farmers emphasized their preferred choice of Pannar
quality seed over other maize variety seedlings. The demonstration field
activity held at Kalbeo in the Bolgatanga Municipality attracted farmers
involved in mechanized and manual farming including input dealers and sale
agents of Wienco Agriculture. It is a USAID/Ghana’s ADVANCE project aimed at
promoting high production of maize using modern and well advanced technologies.
The joint initiative by USAID/ADVANCE and Wienco is targeted at addressing
shortfalls in maize production as farmers over the years have complained of
poor harvesting periods due to poor
farming practices and low variety of seed as well as animal and pest attack.
The use of Pannar quality seed will curtail some of the farming defects and
improve crop yield when properly used. In an interview with Radio Ghana, some
beneficiary farmers drawn from Kalbeo and its adjoining communities maintained
that their experience with Pannar improved maize seeds as comparably given high
rise in crop yield contrary to the use of other ordinary maize seedlings. To
them, is the best variety of seed that could contribute to reducing poverty
among farmers, with particular reference to those in the three northern
regions. A one-time national best farmer, Hajia Teni Tia, attested to the
potency of the seed and advised farmers to prioritize its use for expected crop
yield. Her submission was backed by the chief of Kalbeo, Naba Apaa Panga Ayuuseyine,
who explained its introduction would serve as a source of livelihood to the
people since one has to spend less in its entire production. Naba Ayuuseyene,
indicated his resolve to market the products to farmers within his
jurisdiction. The Regional Coordinator
for USAID ADVANCE Program, Paa Kwesi Awuku Darko, who took farmers round the
field said his outfit had set up a number of demonstration fields in the region
with the objective of increasing production and productivity in the cultivation
of rice, maize and soya bean. In all, 28 maize demonstration fields have been
set up with 14 being rice and 9 soya bean fields. The project, Mr Awuku-Darko, explained was a
special arrangement by Wienco Ghana with financial support by USAID ADVANCE.
The joint initiative, he stated, was an opportunity for Wienco to introduce
their quality seed to the value chain actors they are dealing with. He observed
that beneficiary farmers are impressed with their products and was hopeful that
with good agronomic practice coupled with the effective use of Pannar quality seed, farmers can move from the 3 bag per acre to
about20- 25 per acre during harvesting.
GBC
END
IA/
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