Preserving Our Harvest: A Critical Mission
In a bold move to tackle food loss and empower farmers, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has taken a crucial step by training agricultural extension agents and key stakeholders from the northern regions. But here's where it gets controversial: is this enough to address the complex issue of post-harvest management?
The training, held across several districts, aimed to equip participants with advanced knowledge and skills to reduce food waste. With a focus on grains, the workshop sought to enhance the quality and consistency of post-harvest practices, ensuring farmers receive the best guidance.
A Regional Effort
Participants from North Gonja, North East Gonja, Central Gonja, Bongo, Kassena-Nanka West, and Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri districts gathered in Tamale for this two-day intensive training. The goal? To create a ripple effect of knowledge, with these agents becoming trainers themselves, reaching more farmers with improved post-harvest management techniques.
The EU-FAO Partnership: A Three-Year Project
This initiative is part of a larger European Union (EU) project, a three-year collaboration with the FAO and local agricultural departments. The project's vision is to promote sustainable development and improve food security for vulnerable farming communities in the Savannah, North East, and Upper East Regions.
Tackling Post-Harvest Losses: A Scientist's Perspective
Dr. Issah Sugri, a Principal Research Scientist, led the training, emphasizing the impact of post-harvest losses on food quality and farmer incomes. He guided participants through food security, post-harvest management, and the adoption of innovative technologies.
Dr. Sugri highlighted the importance of timely harvesting and proper drying of crops like maize, sorghum, and millet. He also discussed the use of PICS bags, grain moisture testing, and shelling machines to reduce labor and manage post-harvest losses effectively.
Disseminating Knowledge: A Call to Action
Dr. Sugri urged participants to share their newfound knowledge with farmers, emphasizing the importance of improved produce quality for food security and increased incomes. Mr. Mohammed Bukari, Director of the Kassena-Nankana West District Department of Agriculture, echoed this sentiment, stating that the timing of the training was perfect, as it coincided with the harvest season in the north.
FAO's Intervention: A Step Towards Food Security
In a further effort to strengthen post-harvest management, the FAO, with EU funding, has provided farmers across 72 communities with essential tools: 15,300 PICS bags, 70 multipurpose threshers, and 72 grain moisture testers. This intervention aims to save time, reduce losses, improve hygiene, and increase income for farmers during the harvest season.
And this is the part most people miss...
While these initiatives are commendable, the challenge of post-harvest management is multifaceted. It requires a holistic approach, considering not just the technical aspects but also the social and economic factors that influence farmers' decisions. So, is this enough? What other strategies could be employed to ensure food security and reduce waste? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
