Agortime-ziope: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crop Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), in collaboration with the World Vegetable Centre, has initiated the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) II Vegetable Compact Project in the Agortime-Ziope District of the Volta Region. This initiative aims to enhance farmers' livelihoods by promoting the adoption of improved vegetable varieties, increasing productivity, and strengthening the vegetable value chain.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project also includes nutrition education to promote the daily consumption of vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, and amaranth. During a farmers' field day, participants engaged in sensory tests of dishes prepared from the new varieties, received training on best agronomic practices, and were provided with seeds for trials on their farms.
Dr. Michael Kwabena Osei, Principal Research Scientist at CSIR-CRI, emphasized that the improved varieties, such as CRI Kwabena and Copia tomatoes, are early-maturing, high-yielding, and tolerant to blight, with yields reaching up to 20 tons per hectare compared to the local average of seven to 10 tons. He highlighted that these varieties are suitable for both fresh markets and processing, urging farmers to adopt them to enhance nutrition and reduce reliance on medicines.
Mr. Mawuli Abusah, District Director of Agriculture, pointed out that the new varieties have not only doubled yields compared to local seeds but also offer longer shelf life, potentially reducing post-harvest losses and increasing farmer incomes. He added that the project encourages pregnant women and children to consume more vegetables for better nutrition.
Mr. Paul Alhassan Zaato, Research Associate at the World Vegetable Centre, stated that the Centre's role is to ensure that technologies developed under TAAT reach smallholder farmers, with CSIR as a key partner in Ghana. Farmers like Tornu Bright and Kuatudzo Esther Deladem testified to the superior performance of the new seeds, with Deladem noting that the improved varieties have lower water content, significantly boosting her production efficiency.
Both farmers recommended government subsidies due to the high cost of seeds, emphasizing the potential to reduce post-harvest losses in communities if more farmers adopt these varieties.