AGRIC DEPARTMENTS IN MMDAs IMPLEMENT FSRP TO ENCOURAGE DRY SEASON FARMING

The Department of Agriculture in Sunyani West, Berekum West, Dormaa Municipal, and Dormaa East are beneficiary Districts of the West Africa Food System Resilience Project (FSRP).

However, Sunyani West and Dormaa East, implemented the FSRP-Norwegian Tomato Sub-Project that aimed at introducing farmers to dry season farming. The project is to encourage all-year-round crop production, maintain food stability, improve the livelihood of rural farmers, and reduce the importation of tomatoes from neighbouring countries.

The two districts established a half-acre tomato demonstration farm each to school farmers in dry season tomato production. Inputs such as tomato seeds (SIKA and RAJA varieties), fertilizers, and insecticides were distributed to farmers who had access to water to undertake dry-season tomato cultivation.

Training was also organized for farmers on improved nursery practices and other good agronomic practices. Nurseries have been established by both the demonstration and individual farmers and transplanting done in some fields.

A total of 113 participants were involved in the demonstration and training, comprising 48 women and 39 youth.