Rice farmers under the Project for Sustainable Development of Rainfed Low Land rice production phase two are experiencing bumper harvest after adopting new skills and best farm management practices.
The project, code named “the Tensui project” is been implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and is aimed at increasing yields through the dissemination of rice extension guidelines to farmers.
Beneficiary farmers at a recent filed demonstration at Tibogunaayili in the Tolon district indicated that, rice production levels has increased since the adoption of new methodologies and timely application of farm inputs, learned under the Tensui project.
They revealed that, they had an increase in yields from two tonnes per hectare to four tonnes per hectare which translated into increase in incomes and improved standards of living of their households.
The farmers at TiboguNaayili opined that, the Project had made immense impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the area and urged other rice farmers to adopt best farm management practices.
The Northern regional crop officer Dauda Abdul Salam explained that, the Tensui project focuses on disseminating improved technical packages as well as developing managerial capacities of Metro, Municipal and District Assemblies agricultural officers.
He indicated that, the Project goal is to increase the productivity and profitability of rice farming in rainfed lowland ecologies in the target areas.
Abdul Salam explained that “the Project was able to develop a Rice Extension Guideline that contains rice cultivation and extension techniques that also served as a basis for the development of beneficiary District Rice Extension Plans”.
Under the Tensui project, JICA will provide technical guidance in the dissemination of the extension guidelines to the districts whereas MoFA will be responsible for guiding the Regional and District Agriculture Departments in the implementation of rice extension activities.
Together with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), JICA implemented the first phase of the Project from 2009 to 2014 in five districts in Ashanti region and four districts in the Northern Region.
Source: Ken-Zorre A. Edward | www.diamondfmonline.com | Ghana
