Professor Daniel Oppong Sekyere, Dean of the School of Agriculture at Bolgatanga Technical University, has emphasized the need to sustain the country’s food systems.
In an interview on A1 Radio on the occassion of the World Food Day, he highlighted the necessity of enhancing efficiency throughout the agricultural value chain to address the urgent challenges posed by population growth.
“This is dire because we are facing a challenge with population growth.” He stressed the importance of tackling post-harvest losses, which occur from the farm to market, and ultimately to consumers’ tables.
Professor Oppong Sekyere also noted a shift in agricultural practices, advocating for a transition from viewing agriculture merely as a cultural practice to treating it as a viable business.
“Gone are the days our parents practiced agriculture as a culture. Now, the idea is to practice agriculture as a business.”
While increasing food productivity is essential, he warned against the environmental consequences of using harmful chemicals, which degrade soil health and aquatic ecosystems.
“While we put in efforts to increase food productivity, we should also be mindful of the environmental consequences. Now we are introducing harmful chemicals into the soil, losing aquatic life, polluting the environment, and then we turn around and say the soil is not fertile.”
Innovative agricultural practices are crucial for sustainability, and he urged more active involvement from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. According to him, enhanced monitoring and evaluation by extension agents are necessary to ensure farmers receive ongoing support and guidance in the field.
“Much more has to be done by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in this respect. There should be more monitoring and evaluation by the extension agents under the ministry. They should liaise more with farmers and maintain contact with them so that it will not just be about talking and building capacity. Once they are with them in the field, they will be able to directly monitor and control how things should be done.”
Furthermore, he underscored the need for proper management of chemical applications, weeding, and land preparation as key components that require continuous attention to improve farming outcomes. He made these points as Ghana joined the global community in celebrating World Food Day on October 16, focusing on the critical theme of ensuring food security in the face of climate change.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Ghana
