Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture (MoFA), Francis Ennor, has admonished youth interested in Agric to venture into livestock farming for its economic benefits.
Mr. Ennor, observed that, majority of rural farmers in the Upper East Region still pay little attention to livestock farming amidst its economic and social gains.
Speaking exclusively on A1 Radio, Mr. Ennor explained that, the economic benefits of livestock farming were enormous as compared to crop farming.
“Majority of farmers in the southern sector believe much in livestock farming because the economic benefits are numerous to their households; such as food supply, source of income, asset saving, source of employment, soil fertility, livelihoods, agricultural diversification and sustainable agricultural.
I just do not know why farmers here are not seeing the benefits. Yes, if they begin seeing the activity as an investment the concerns of no veteran doctors might be downplayed by them. And I hope that they will do as time passes.”
Mr. Ennor, bemoaned the lack of interest in livestock farming despite government’s investment in livestock technologies to enhance production.
He assured the teeming youth of higher returns on livestock farming, should they consider it as a business.
“Livestock farming plays an important role in enhancing farmers’ income in the region. Over 20,000 farmers (10,147 males, 9,936 females) were reached with livestock technologies in 2019 as compared to 7,722 (5,980 males, 1,742 females) in 2018. 67,362 animals and 92,438 birds vaccinated in 2019 as against 21,852 animals and 25,926 birds in 2018, yet the outcomes from these farmers are not encouraging. I believe they can do more as we advance in life.”
But some farmers bemoaned the poor number of veterinary officers to attend to livestock farmers as a major reason for the decline in livestock farming.
Akolgo Jacob said, “Even with the little rearing that I’m doing, I find it difficult to get veterinary doctors and even if I’m lucky to get one, the amount of money I usually pay, will even deter you from it, not to talk of going into commercial rearing.”
“I was born into rearing; my father was rearing guinea fowls so I grew up knowing how to rear them. Just that, rearing guinea fowls is difficult especially with little or no veteran doctors around. It is difficult. My spirit is into rearing but I don’t have the financial muscles.” Another Farmer, Atiah Samuel noted.
Source:|A1radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Moses Apiah|Ghana
