The Ghana Science Association (GSA) is set to deliver policy direction to government on environmentally friendly methods of managing pests threatening agriculture in Ghana.
The issue headlined its 16th biannual workshop held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on the theme “Combating pests through climate smart agriculture.”
It is estimated that 40% of the world’s agricultural yields is lost to pests. Ghana has not been spared this ordeal as the nation spent over 16million cedis last year alone combating the fall army worm which infested several hectares of maize farms.
Scientists fear the impact of climate change on pest propagation could aggravate poverty among farmers, threaten food security and worsen hunger across the world.
Addressing the conference, the Minister of Food and Agriculture indicated that government has taken a proactive step by putting in place the National Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Security Action Plan to span 2016 to 2020.
The Director, plant protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (MoFA) Mrs. Felicia Ansah-Amprofi who represented the sector minister asked that scientists make available, critical research input that could lead to academic breakthroughs to mitigate the effects of climate change on Ghana’s agriculture.
She noted strongly, “it is critical that specific information be tailored to the need of policy makers for an effective decision making process that ensures a good linkage between science and policy. I urge our scientists to come closer to government with their findings so as to meet the challenges of climate change,”
Giving the Key note address, the minister of environment science technology and innovation Professor Frimpong Boateng observed that combating pests through climate smart methods will fail if it is left to the farmer alone.
In a statement read on his behalf by Professor Daniel Ofori – the Director for Quality Research at the CSIR, a demand was made for a platform to be created for farmers, academia, researchers and policy makers to share ideas and information on the changing phases of the environment and its impact on pest infestation on farms.
Speaking to Ultimate News on the sidelines of the conference, the Honourable president of the association Professor Moses Jojo Egan was positive Ghanaian Scientists are well placed to bring out workable solutions to smart pest control measures for Ghanaian farmers whose farms are worst hit by pests.
He told reporter Ivan Heathcote – Fumador, “As a science association, we need to show to the Ghanaian populace that we are on top of the issues and that we are advising government in the right way. In most of our communiqués we have addressed issues and government has implemented it and they are helping the country.
The event which was chaired by the Head of the office of Grants and Research, KNUST Professor Robert Clement Abaidoo was attended by Directors of Scientific Institutions, Managing Directors and Representatives of Industries, Researchers, Traditional Authorities and Policy Makers,
By:Ghana/Ultimatefmonline.com/106.9FM/Ivan Heathcote – Fumador
The post GSA finds climate smart pest control solutions to safeguard Ghana’s food security appeared first on Ultimate FM.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS