Farmers of Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipality have been trained at a day’s workshop on good farming practices (GAP) by Messiah Organics Chain to produce more for domestic consumption and export.
The workshop was attended by 50 participants, with some officials from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). It was organized by Nana Dwomoh Doyan, the Chief Executive Officer of Messiah Organics Chain of Ghana.
The farmers were trained on soil saving, applying the Messiah Organic fertilizer and pesticides, using microbes to improve agricultural production, and the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on human health and the environment.
“Farmers who spray pesticides are the most vulnerable to its impact. Due to a lack of awareness and knowledge about safe and hygienic farming practices, many farmers are found not using personal protective equipment while spraying pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It is, therefore, necessary for farmers to adopt good agricultural practices (GAP) to maintain a healthy food supply chain”.
Nana Dwomoh Doyan,
Mr. John Kupagme, a Ph.D. Student in Mycology at the University of Tartu Estonia and the Head of Research at Messiah Organics Chain educated the participants on creating a relationship between the root structure of plants and certain fungi to aid in nutrient absorption.
This, he said, can eliminate the usage of chemical fertilizers. Mr. Kupagme said Messiah Organic Chain fertilizer, also called ‘Agrodyke’, is suitable for all crops. He said excessive use of chemical fertilizer could contribute to crop tip browning, lower leaf yellowing, wilting, and crop lodging.
“When fertilizer scorches roots, the root may blacken and go limp. All these symptoms occur due to salt accumulation in the soil, which would cause difficulty in water absorption by plants.”
Mr. Kupagme
A call to youth to venture into agriculture
Mr. Kupagme said the youth should be encouraged to enter into farming ventures after their education to make a decent living.
He called on the participants, especially the NADMO and the agriculture personnel, to impart what they have learned at the workshop to farming communities for them to patronize the Messiah Organics Chain products to increase their production.
Mr. Wisdom King Adukpo, the Chairman of Tiwala Market Company gave the farmers assurance that the company is ready to purchase quality products from them for export to enable the country to earn foreign exchange for development.
Production of safe food for a sustainable environment
With the increasing per capita income, consumers are becoming more and more conscious about their health in this modern era. Production of safe food is crucial for consumers’ health and a sustainable environment and healthy working conditions for those producing agricultural produce. However, while discussing safe food production, the farmer’s health is not considered.
GAP adoption helps promote sustainable agriculture and meets national and international environment and social development objectives. The training has received the applause of many agri-experts and called on other agri-firms to train farmers to adopt good agricultural practices.
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