New crop production technology launched

Amiran Farmers Kit (AFK), a self-reliance greenhouse crop production technology, designed to meet the needs of specific farmers or group of farmers, has been launched in Accra.

AFK, created by Dizengoff Ghana Limited (DWA), is a complete set of tools for farming which eliminates soil-borne diseases, insects, weeds and water wastage and allows for year-round production.

At present, most vegetable farmers across the country are producing low yielding varieties and using indigenous agronomic practices. These limit them from exploring the huge local, regional and international market.

At the launch of the AFK in Accra yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, was of the conviction that the new technology would not only contribute to food security in the country but also attract the youth to the agriculture sector.

He, however, expressed concern about the rate at which lands meant for farming were being used for construction, describing the development as destructive to the country’s economy.

On the technology, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye called on DWA to collaborate with government agencies to ensure that rural communities whose livelihood largely depended on farming, benefited from the technology.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of DWA, Mr Arie Carmon, said the AFK would introduce farmers to modern agricultural technologies, methods and inputs of the highest standard.

According to him,the use of the AFK, will result in high yields and quality produce that has long shelf life.“Returns on investment are realised within one or two seasons,” he added.

Mr Carmon said professional back-up support would be offered to farmers who would purchase the AFK.

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Clement Kofi Humado, said his outfit had put in place measures and programmes to attract the youth to agriculture.

He noted that the use of cutlass and hoe to farm tended to discourage the youth from going into farming.

Mr Humado appealed to DWA to monitor and offer assistance to farmers who would use the AFK.

By Dominic Moses Awiah & Sarah Mensah