AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT CARRIES OUT SENSITIZATION EXERCISE ON SHEP PROJECT

The JICA project called the Ghana Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (G-SHEP) is an extension approach aimed at market-oriented agriculture where the farmer’s mindset is changed from ‘’grow and sell’’ to ‘’grow to sell’’.

A sensitization exercise on the project was carried out with the Berekum West district that included staff, some FBO members, and the regional team. The Fetentaa Tomatoes Farmers Association was selected as the model FBO whilst FBOs at Botokrom, Ayimom, Amomaso, Koraso, and Jinijini were the targeting FBOs.

A ToT demonstration site was established on selected crops such as tomatoes, cabbage, carrot, pepper, and onion at Jinijini. Model FBO demonstration was also established at Fetentaa while targeted FBOs also established demonstrations in their communities.

Both major and minor season activities were carried out including Gender awareness training, baseline survey, market survey, target crop selection, crop calendar making, cultivation training (including germination testing, nursery bed preparation using various forms of manure, compost making, and application, pest and disease recognition and management, including IPM, etc.), field demonstration practices, nutrition training among other crop budgeting and monitoring activities.

Field days were also organized, including harvesting field days. In all, 303 participants benefitted, including staff with 178 women and 69 youths.

During the year, a Learning/Exchange Visit for Training Plot Management was organized for the Ashanti Regional SHEP Team, Bekwai District SHEP Team, and AEAs in charge of model FBOs.

The Berekum West District training plot and Model FBO demonstration plot were visited to share knowledge and experience on the proper management of training plots for G-SHEP activities. In attendance were the Bono Regional SHEP Team and Berekum West District SHEP Team.