MIXED FORTUNES OF AGRIC IN ASHANTI THIS SEASON

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The Ashanti region has recorded a mixed fortune in agricultural production this season as a result of various factors.According to the Regional Director of Agriculture, Kwaku Mintah Fordjour, while there have been significant increases in livestock, root tuber and plantain production, yields of the cereals particularly maize has seen a decline due to the erratic rainfall pattern. 

Speaking in an interview with Ashanti Today in Kumasi, the Regional Director disclosed that the poultry sub-sector has recorded about a 500 thousand increase in the production of broilers alone, with seven thousand pigs produced between May and October this year. 

The achievement is greatly attributable to certain deliberate government policy interventions such as the provision of credit facilities for the poultry and livestock production. 

Additionally, it is now a policy that importers of chicken must procure at least 40 per cent of the requirement from local sources before they could be permitted to import the remaining quantity. 

On crop production, Mr. Fordjour said there is an indication that the production of cocoyam, cassava, yam and plantain would exceed that of last season. 

On the other hand, there is likely to be a reduction in the quantity of the cereals especially maize, to be produced this season, basically due to the irregular rainfall pattern. 

Mr. Fordjour explained that whereas the cereals require relatively much water for good yield, the roots and tubers as well as the plantain need moderate amount of water to do well. 

The Regional Agric Director disclosed that the focus of his directorate in succeeding years is to give greater attention to early maturing maize, cocoyam, cassava and yam which are not seriously affected by erratic rainfall. 

Another priority of the Agric directorate is to motivate farmers to adopt and cultivate drought-resistant crops so as to mitigate the possible negative effects of the weather, particularly due to the climate change on food production.

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