ACCRA-The Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute [BNARI] of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission [GAEC] held the maiden Cassava Week Celebration in the country, attracting individual farmers, cooperatives, business community, industrialists, and agriculturalists among others.
The event running from June-13-16, according to news outlets in Ghana is themed: “Ghana’s Golden Root for Economic Transformation”.
“The Cassava Week Celebration is an exciting event that showcases the latest innovations and advancements in cassava production, processing, and utilisation.
With informative conferences, engaging symposia, and captivating exhibitions, this event is a must-attend for stakeholders in the agricultural industry,”organisers said.
Evans Ayim, chief executive officer of Ayensu Starch Company Limited,urged urged farmers to adopt new methods in the production of cassava.
He said scientists had developed improved cassava seeds and farming practices to enhance yield and ensure economic viability and encouraged farmers to take advantage of the innovation.
Ayim said: “Farming has moved on, today practices have advanced; these days they talk about precision agriculture. Farmers just do not go to the field and plant, instead they have to check the fertility of the soil and the exact nutrients that the soil needs, before planting.”
He stated that the application of new technologies in cassava production would go a long way to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities for the youth.
“Globally, the starch industry for instance is worth over US 97 billion and Ghana’s economy stands to benefit greatly if steps are taken to industrialise cassava,” he said.
He commended the government for supporting cassava processing factories, including the Amantin Agro processing, Caltech ventures and Twin Rock Company Limited, under the one district one factory policy.
He noted that a major problem in the cassava industry was how researchers had failed to transmit knowledge and skills to farmers, most especially in rural areas.
Ayim commneded BNARI and its partners on championing the initiative, which he said sought to build a better industry to transform the livelihoods of actors in the cassava value chain.
Dr. Michael Osae, director of Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, noted that harnessing the potential in the cassava industry could transform the economy of the country.
“Every part of the cassava crop is useful, even the peel. In South Africa, people use cassava peels in producing cement. There is a lot that can be achieved with cassava, aside from it being a staple food,” he was quoted as saying.
Osae said the Institute through the support of International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] and other key players had funded them to develop varieties of cassava especially one that had high starch and carotenoids most needed by industries.
He urged farmers to adopt science, technology and innovation in farming, which the BNARI was working towards to get everyone involved to boost Ghana’s yield in agriculture.
GAEA is currently working with some farmer-based organisations and non-governmental organisations in the country to put in place demonstration farms, which would transfer technologies on climate crop varieties to improve productivity in the cassava system.
Cassava is the most important root crop in Ghana. The estimated total land under cassava production is 1,027,755 hectares, yielding an estimated 22 million metric tons of fresh cassava in 2019. over 70 percent in the country of farmers engage in cassava production, and the sector contributes to about 22 percent of agricultural GDP.
https://thecooperator.news/cassava-farmers-to-bake-bread-and-cakes/
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