Hilary Alagbo, the director of the Department of Agriculture’s Upper Manya Krobo District, has lamented the district’s high pricing for petroleum goods and agricultural inputs at the moment.
That, according to him, was the root of the rising food costs that had an impact on the average Ghanaian, particularly farmers.
Despite the difficulties the sector has recently encountered, he pointed out that agriculture remains the foundation of the nation’s economy and must be given the appropriate care to flourish.
This was said by Mr Alagbo last Friday during a day-long Research Extension Linkage Committee (RELC) Planning session in the Eastern Region’s district headquarters of Asesewa.
The occasion gave the district’s numerous agricultural stakeholders the chance to discuss the issues facing the industry and develop suggestions for how to deal with them.
If there was a successful partnership between research institutions, extension service organizations, and farmers, according to Mr Alagbo, research played a critical role in improving the fortunes of farmers.
According to him, research facilities have worked tirelessly over the years to control pests and illnesses as well as develop drought-tolerant agricultural kinds, livestock breeds, and fish species.
According to him, this increased crop and animal outputs boosted farmer incomes and improved their quality of life.
Mr Alagbo reminded the attendees that it was very challenging to work alone if one wanted to succeed; as a result, they should get in touch with his organization for the necessary advice and help.
In order to further enhance technology distribution, he consequently advised them to ensure an efficient feedback channel between them and extension officers.
Walter Kwadzo Drayi, the event’s chair, pleaded with the attendees to take advantage of the department’s value chain approach to agriculture in the district and organize groups among the different types of farmers for commercial objectives.
He indicated that would aid in resolving their issues and securing support for their shared advantages.
Some of the participants told the Daily Graphic that some of their problems with climate change were the erratic rainfall distribution, the prolonged dry season, the bad road system, the absence of a quick market for their goods, and the activities of nomadic herdsmen.