Agortime-ziope: Farmers in the Agortime-Ziope District of the Volta Region have been introduced to new high-yielding vegetable varieties under the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) II Vegetable Compact Project. The project was spearheaded by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crop Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) in collaboration with the World Vegetable Centre.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Michael Kwabena Osei, Principal Research Scientist at CSIR-CRI, highlighted that varieties such as CRI Kwabena Kwabena and KOPIA tomatoes are early-maturing, blight-tolerant, and capable of producing up to 20 tons per hectare, compared to the local average of 7-10 tons. He emphasized the suitability of the new seeds for both fresh markets and processing, urging farmers to adopt them to boost nutrition and reduce reliance on medicines.
'We want to go beyond field demonstrations. Today, farmers are tasting dishes prepared with these varieties to evaluate aroma, taste, and overall acceptability. Once they embrace them, we will link them to commercial seed producers for large-scale access,' Dr. Osei told the Ghana News Agency during a Nutritional Food Campaign and Sensory Test in Agortime-Ziope.
Participants at the event sampled meals made from the improved tomato, okra, and amaranth varieties, received training on best agronomic practices, and were supplied with seeds for on-farm trials. Mr. Alfred Eklu Odikro, District Chief Executive of Agortime-Ziope, commended CSIR and its partners for their support and urged them to provide continuous training. 'We encourage our farmers to embrace these lessons to maximize the benefits,' he added.
Mr. Mawuli Abusah, District Director of Agriculture, noted that the improved seeds have doubled yields compared to traditional varieties, offer longer shelf life, and reduce post-harvest losses, which translates into higher incomes for farmers. He also stressed the nutritional benefits, especially for pregnant women and children.
Mr. Paul Alhassan Zaato, Research Associate at the World Vegetable Centre, emphasized that the Centre's mandate is to ensure that research innovations under TAAT directly reach smallholder farmers, with CSIR as its key implementing partner in Ghana. Mr. Tornu Bright, a farmer who shared testimony on the performance of the new varieties, said: 'CRI Kwabena Kwabena tomatoes yield far more than our local seeds and can stay up to two weeks without rotting. However, the seeds are expensive, so we appeal for government subsidies.'
Ms. Kuatudzo Esther Deladem, a tomato processor, praised the improved varieties for their lower water content, enhancing her production efficiency. 'We encourage more farmers to adopt these seeds to help reduce post-harvest losses in our communities,' she said.
The initiative also sought to promote stronger value chains and encourage daily vegetable consumption as part of efforts to improve household nutrition and strengthen local economies.
