The Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CRI-CSIR) has partnered with the Ghana Seed Inspection Division and Plant Protection Regulatory Services Directorate under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to train seed growers to come out with quality seeds for farmers.
This was after MOFA and CRI observed the influx of low-quality seeds in the system.
Farmers have, in recent time, been complaining of not getting the expected yields.
This has largely been blamed on the effect of climate change and low-quality seeds.
The troubling situation poses a threat to the country’s quest to be food secured and cut down on food importation.
“As crop breeders, we have observed that the seed we see on the farmers’ field is not what we’ve released. Most of the seeds get contaminated. And to have a successful harvest, increase your productivity, and increase your income, it all starts with good seeds”, Dr Priscilla Francisco Ribeiro, a Senior Research Scientist and Maize Breeder at CRI pointed out.
To enhance the production and distribution of quality seeds to farmers, seed growers have been taken through processes of getting quality seeds.
“In some situations, we’ve seen fake seeds getting into the hands of farmers, and at the end of harvest, we observed that the potential of that seed is not realized. So, we decided to engage the CRI to train our seed growers and provide them with the necessary techniques that they need to adapt to produce quality seeds. Quality seeds give the maximum yields, “Ashanti Regional Agriculture Director, Reverend Dr John Manu stressed.
According to the Crops Research Institute, Ghana is still at the infantile stage when it comes to hybrid seed production.
“Most of our seed growers don’t want to go into hybrid production, but hybrid seed is the way to go now because of its viability and disease resistance. So, we are trying to encourage more seed growers to produce the hybrid ones”, Dr Ribeiro noted.
CRI considers it important for them to educate growers as to how to maintain quality seeds as most seeds in Ghana have been contaminated.
Some beneficiary seed growers were elated for the knowledge shared.
“This training is timely. We know that to get adequate food in the country, it will depend on the seed so we’ve been educated on processes governing quality seed production”, a seed grower, Appiah Francis said.
Another seed grower, Faustina Ohene Adjei, was excited to learn that, taking time to produce quality seed will not only improve her income but contribute to food security in the country.
The workshop, funded by Seed Equal Maize Seed Systems project, is expected to ensure farmers are provided with quality and improved seedlings.
It is also aimed at strengthening the maize seed system in the country.