A Microbiology lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale Campus who doubles as a commercial farmer, Professor Juventus Ziem has said that the potential of agriculture to transform the economy of Ghana remains hugely untapped.
This is because the country continues to depend hugely on primitive methods of crop farming, animal farming and fishing rather than focusing on more innovative practices that provide more yields and yet still is conscious of protecting and conserving the environment.
To this end, Professor Ziem has proposed the adoption of ‘Conservation Agriculture’ by farmers across the country.
He said with ‘Conservation Agriculture’, there is zero tillage, no burning and a reduced use of inorganic fertilizers. Also, animals are not allowed to feed on stalks or remnants of crops after harvest.
Professor Ziem explained that due to the zero tillage, there are specialised planters that aid farmers to plant their seeds properly.
He said this while speaking to GBC on the sidelines of an Annual Farmers Forum organised by Tieme Ndo, a social enterprise in Nandom. The forum was anchored on, “Farming as a business: enhancing the entrepreneurial capacity of small holder farmers”.
According to Professor Juventus Ziem, when ‘Conservation Agriculture’ is properly practiced, after a minimum period of three years, soil fertility and water retention of that particular soil is improved.
He said this method also eliminates the constant need of small holder farmers to struggle in their search for tractor to plough their lands. Professor Ziem added that ‘Conservation Agriculture’ reduces the farmers’ dependency on inorganic fertilizers.
To enable farmers adopt this method, Professor Ziem is encouraging the formation of farmer groups to ensure peer learning. He added that there needs to be constant education on the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of the practice.
A Research Fellow with the Commonwealth Scientific industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia, Dr Julius Kotir explained that farming should be seen beyond the narrative that it is a way of life.
He said in developed countries, farms are seen as factories that need inputs to create outputs thus the need for proper investment to ensure increased outputs. Dr Kotir said the theme for the occasion was apt as it reminded smallholder farmers to adjust their thought process and commit to farming as a business.
From his professional point of view, Dr Kotir said without research, there is no point in venturing into agriculture. He said in countries where agriculture had been developed to maximize output, research was key as it led to innovation.
The Director of Operations for the Tieme Ndo, Moses Yaanemengna said the forum was necessary as it affords farmers the opportunity to meet, celebrate their successes and also talk about their challenges.
At the forum, the Director of Operations at Tieme Ndo disclosed that there has been a slightly average increase in the year under review. Mr Yaanemengna went on to say that for new farmers who signed unto the Credit Extension Package (CEP), there had been an average of about a 25 percent increase in their yield while for old farmers, there had been an increase of about 60 percent in their yields. This means that farmers who averaged about 5 bags in 2018 now had at least 8 bags of maize in 2019.
As part of building on the theme for the forum, Mr Yaanemengna said the organisation will focus on building the entrepreneurial capacity of farmers who had shown commitment and excellence during their time with the organisation. This would involve consultancy and financial support for farmers who show interest. He said as part of the strategies of the organisation, Tieme Ndo is hoping that farmers who have been under the CEP would move from the package and become financially independent.
Over the past 3 year, the organisation has supplied more than 1,500 farmers in 50 communities in Nandom, Lambussie and Jirapa with farming inputs. Tieme Ndo also works directly with 13 farmer groups which have a total of more than 200 farmers in Nandom providing them with inputs, mechanisation and extension services under the Credit Extension Package (CEP). The organisation hopes to empower smallholder farmers to increase their productivity in order for them to get the needed financial muscle to take advantage of business opportunities along the agriculture value chain.
Story filed by Mark Smith.
