The Builsa South District Director of Agriculture in the Upper East Region, Sylvan Dauda Danaa, has called on government and private investors to see the district as a land of opportunities and invest evenly to uplift its potentials.
According to him, the land can best be described as a pot of gold as far as agriculture activities are concerned.
Speaking at the 36th edition of farmers’ day celebration held in Fumbisi in the Builsa South District, Mr. Danaa noted that farming in the district cannot be overlooked citing variety of crops that grow well in the area; adding that farmers were only tapping an estimated 30 percent of the land potentials.
“Builsa South is a land of opportunities; you can always find the pot of gold so far as agriculture is a concern. The crop potential of the area ranges from cowpea, rice, sorghum, maize, and groundnut. Rice and cowpea potential are so conspicuous in the district even though rice has a potential of 4,700Ha and cowpea over 1500Ha. We are only tapping 30% of its potential in the district with respect to cowpea.”
Touching on the cultivation of rice which the district is best noted for, Mr. Danaa said last year they were able to cultivate only 1500 hectares (Ha) and had a bumper harvest of over 9000 metric tons (Mt) of rice with high yields ranging from 4.5mt/ha to 5.5MT/ha.
“This year we have added additional 1,286Ha making a total 2786ha of land used for the cultivation of rice. Farmers are currently harvesting their fields and yields are generally good for now because it supersedes last year’s harvest. Our target for this year is 15,000Mt.”
Commenting on issues of market for the rice produce, Mr. Danaa said his department was on course as it had been able to give definite controls of prices to rice paddy and mechanization services.
“In fact, I must commend the Builsa South Farmers Association (BUSCOFA) for their relentless efforts in making this a reality. Through their collaboration, we were able to give definite controls of the prices to rice paddy and mechanization services.”
District Chief Executive for the area, Daniel Kwame Gariba, on his part commended the farmers and urged them to overlook their challenges and focus on how they could advance their activities moving forward.
He assured that the NPP government will continue to remain committed to uplifting farming activities in the country in noting that the Builsa South District will not be exempted.
Out of the 19 farmers which were awarded, Mr. Awasiyadem Adabomsa was adjudged the 2020 District Best Farmer.
For his prize, he received a Motor King Tricycle, 1 Radio set, an Agro T-shirt, and a certificate of honor.
Mr. Adabomsa seized the opportunity to call on the youth especially unemployed graduates to see farming as their next adventure.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Moses Apiah/Ghana
