The CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana’s foremost agricultural research institute has intensified its campaign against cassava diseases particularly those caused by viruses in the country.
Dubbed, “Together, let’s save our cassava”, the campaign sought to create awareness on the major diseases that adversely affect productivity of the crop and sensitize farmers on how to identify and mitigate against such diseases to promote food security.
Over five hundred (500) cassava farmers and Agric Extension officers selected from four important cassava growing districts across the country; Asesewa, Upper Manya Krobo (Eastern region), Wenchi (Bono region), Atebubu-Amantin (Bono East region) and Akatsi (Volta region) directly benefitted from the campaign. Millions of people also benefitted indirectly through several media outlets.
In each district, the participants were informed about the need for the campaign which is to raise awareness on the increasing threats cassava viral diseases pose to the crop in Ghana and on the African continent. They were advised to apply the knowledge gained from the campaign in order not to only increase their yields but also achieve sustainable production of the crop.