About Twenty Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) in the Tain district in the Bono Region have been trained by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Ghana to assist farmers with new agricultural technologies.
This is part of efforts towards ensuring proper cashew production and improving yields under the Bono Asante Atea (BAAT) project. The project is expected to increase farmers’ income, create more employment in the cashew sector, and increase knowledge on cashew production.
The extension agents were tasked to train and assist farmers on the new and improved agricultural practices for them to adopt to those practices.
They were to also do periodically visit the farms to offer technical support, supervise farmer’s field operations and educate them on practical and simple sets of technologies which would improve yields.
Director for Agriculture and food security at ADRA Ghana, Mr. Samuel Asante- Mensah revealed that cashew is one of the country’s stable cash crop that if properly managed, would help farmers to improve their livelihood.
“Farmers can make more money with cashew nut farming especially if they have a great cashew farming business plan. The most important thing is to stick to tried and tested cashew tips”, he said.
Dr. Anthony Manu, project Manager, ADDRA- Ghana said five ways that can help improve on yields are Pruning, spraying the farms to control diseases and pets, manuring and fertilization, weeds control and effective nuts control.
He therefore urged farmers to adhere to these practices to increase their yields to sustain their livelihood.
Mr. Lan Dorsaa Joseph, the acting District noted that the programme would help farmers to improve their knowledge on cashew farming in the district.
He urged the Agricultural Extension Agents to show commitment in the work and be abreast with information to educate the farmers to ensure the sustainability of the project.