SNV organises green field day for sorghum farmers in Builsa North

A green field day aimed at disseminating best farming practices and innovations has been held for selected smallholder sorghum farmers in the Builsa North District in the Upper East Region.

The event was organised by SNV, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), as part of the Partnership for Sustainable Sorghum Sourcing in Ghana project with funding from Guiness Ghana Brewery Limited (GGBL).

The five-year project is being implemented in the five northern regions, namely Upper East, Upper West, North-East, Savanna and Northern.

Essence

Speaking during the event, an Agricultural Advisor to SNV, Nelson Gulbi, said the event had the objective of introducing several innovations adopted by lead farmers to other farmers to enable them to replicate them on their farms.

He stated that it was also to enable the beneficiary sorghum farmers to share ideas among themselves which would go a long way to improve their production and increase their yield, thereby getting more income to better their lives.

He added that there was a ready market for sorghum, especially by the brewery companies, and that there was the need for the farmers to adopt the best practices to increase their production to meet the demand of the growing market.

Mr Gulbi stated that there was the need for farmers to adopt and plant improved sorghum varieties that were climate smart, early maturing and high yielding, in order to increase their production.

He advised the farmers to make judicious use of their land by ensuring right spacing between the plants as well as the right plant population, saying “having the right seedling rate and planting distance will enable the farmer to cut down on cost.

“There is no need for a farmer to use five kilogrammes of seeds to plant an acreage, but rather he needs about 2.5 kilogrammes for an acre, thereby significantly helping the farmer to save cost.” 

The Operations Manager, Akandem Farms, Solomon Akanpisi, entreated the farmers to adhere to the best agricultural practices, as it was the surest way that they could enjoy high quality produce as well as to be able to increase their crop yield.

Beneficiaries

The lead farmer, Ayaachab Farmers’ Cooperative Limited in Tandema, commended SNV and its sponsor for the training, as they had been exposed to new practices and knowledge that would enable them to increase their sorghum production.

Another beneficiary farmer, Erica Abondem, said the event was beneficial as it was tailored towards assisting to do the right thing so that they would be able to grow enough sorghum to meet market demand.

Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh