Rice farmers urged to use improved seed

In bid to upscale the technology for the production of rice in the Daffiama Irrigation scheme enclave of the Upper West Region, a field day christened “Brown Field Day” has been organized at Dakyie near Daffiama. 

The event organized by AfricaRice and Feed the Future (FtF) USAID-Ghana Agricultural Technology Transfer (ATT) projects. 

Radio Ghana’s Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo says the Rice Seed Scaling Project Coordinator, Boubakary Cisse stress the point for rice farmers to use improved seed for them to have competitive edge. 

The “Brown Field Day” enable some lead personnel of the projects to hold a demonstration at the learning centre at Dakyie set up by ATT in collaboration with the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) for the farmers to witness best practices associated with the technology transfer such as nursery practices, transplanting and urea deep placement application. 

He indicated that improved seed will enable rice cultivators to produce what he termed “good quality paddy” in order to have a fair share of the market. 

Mr. Cisse stated that the project will facilitate the production of six thousand metric tons of certified and quality declared rice seed by private seed companies, individuals and nuclear farmers. 

The easy accessibility of good quality seed will in the normal scheme of things translate into pumper harvest and socio-economic advancement. 

The Upper West Regional Technical Manager of Feed the Future (FtF) USAID-Ghana Agricultural Technology Transfer Project (ATTP), Samuel Ayamga (Atiah) stressed the importance for farmers in the catchment of the Daffiama Irrigation Scheme to go into rice cultivation as a full-time venture to help alleviate poverty in the area. 

A 20-year old farmer, Mabel Bogtege who spoke on behalf of the farmers who were mostly women pointed out that the field day demonstration has really brought out the difference between what they were doing in terms of rice cultivation prior to the intervention and thereafter. 

She indicated that the technology and practices they have been introduced to at the learning centre through AfricaRice and Feed the Future USAID-Ghana Agricultural Technology Transfer projects will be more rewarding than their traditional rice production techniques. 

The Agronomist for GIDA in the Upper West Region, Fedelis Abu Bang-Era was very appreciative of AfricaRice and Feed the Future USAID-Ghana Agricultural Technology Transfer projects’ support for farmers in the Daffiama zone. 

Mr. Bang-Era was particularly grateful to project implementers for repairing the valves of the Daffiama Irrigation Scheme, saying it has now afforded GIDA the opportunity to regulate water distribution and also increase the storage in the reservoir.

GBC