The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, has recently launched the Agricultural Technology Park in Kumasi. This initiative aims to showcase innovative technologies that have been developed for farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.
During the event on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, which was titled the “Planning Workshop and Open Day of the Regional Centre of Excellence for Roots and Tubers,” Mr. Yaw Frimpong Addo, the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research, technology development, and effective extension services. These efforts are aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers, processors, and traders.
Mr. Addo highlighted the Ministry’s collaboration with various partners, including international, regional, and national agricultural research institutions, to generate and disseminate technologies that benefit Ghanaian farmers.
He also mentioned previous government projects, such as the Root and Tuber Improvement Program (R TIP) and the Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme (R TIMP), which have supported the development of root and tuber technologies.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister revealed that the government has introduced Phase 2 of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative, which is known as the “game changer.” This program aims to further promote agriculture in the country.
The Director of CSIR-CRI, Prof Moses Brandford Mochiah, emphasized that the institute has achieved great success in fulfilling its various mandates by providing valuable technologies for farmers and other stakeholders. As Ghana’s largest agricultural research institution, CSIR-CRI is committed to continuing its efforts in delivering technologies that contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development.
He said Scientists are often accused of their technologies sitting in silo, others describe them as gathering in dust on the shelves. Scientists are not happy about some of these comments and therefore technologies have been developed in the roots and tubers crops such as yam, cassava, sweet potatoes, cocoyam and taro range from seeds, good agronomic practices and post-harvest technologies.
Prof Mochiah further stated that the planning sessions aim to foster a shared understanding of the advancements and challenges in the Roots and Tubers value chain. The sessions will also address research teams and regional research and development action plans related to the value chains of Roots and Tubers.
Source: Oyerepafmonline..com /Joseph Marfo
