FAO Initiative Trains Agricultural Extension Agents in Savannah Region on Post-Harvest Management.

Tamale: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, has conducted a training program for Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) in the Savannah Region focusing on post-harvest management. The initiative aims to equip the agents with essential knowledge and skills to minimize post-harvest food losses, enhance sustainable agricultural practices, boost food security, and strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers across six districts in the northern parts of the country.According to Ghana News Agency, the districts identified as food insecure include Kassena Nankana West and Bongo in the Upper East Region, Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri in the North East Region, and North Gonja, North East Gonja, and Central Gonja in the Savannah Region. Mr. Abeshaw Gebru, Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Africa, emphasized during the training in Tamale that the goal is to enhance food production capa bilities and build robust agrifood systems. Support has been extended to these districts to increase the production of maize, millet, sorghum, soybean, groundnut, and vegetables such as tomato, along with poultry, piggery, and animal health support.Mr. Gebru highlighted that in early 2024, maize seeds, sorghum foundation seeds, millet foundation seeds, NPK, and fertilizers will be distributed to 12,600 smallholder farmers to aid the 2024 planting season. Dr. Issah Sugri, a Post-harvest Technologist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, facilitated the training. He noted that it would empower AEAs to better educate the farmers and traders they collaborate with, thus improving the overall agricultural landscape.Mrs. Naomi Zaato, North East Gonja District Director of Agriculture, praised the training initiative, expressing optimism that it would significantly reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the income levels of farmers.