The Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, organized a field trip for farmers to the Botanga Irrigation Scheme in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region.
The event, part of the Ricowas project, aimed to introduce farmers to improved rice varieties and promote good agronomic practices.
Dr. Issah Sugri, Ricowas Project Director and Deputy Director of SARI, addressed farmers during the field day, emphasizing the importance of observing and selecting preferred rice varieties for cultivation.
The Ricowas project, funded by the Adaptation Fund and supported by Observatoire Du Sahara Et Du Sahel Sahara and Sahel Observatory, focuses on scaling up climate-resilient rice production in West Africa.
The project aims to strengthen human and institutional capacity in climate-resilient rice production (CRRP), assisting farmers and stakeholders in adopting the system of rice intensification (SRI).
Implemented in 13 West African countries, including Ghana, the project covers seven regions and introduces technologies to enhance yield, address food security, and improve rice quality.
Dr. Sugri highlighted the qualities of new rice varieties, including CRI-Kantinka, CRI-Mpuntuo, CRI+Dartey, and AGRA rice, emphasizing their early maturity, high yield, good grain quality, aroma, and tolerance to diseases and pests.
Mr. Abdul-Fatawu Ismail, District Agric Officer, advised farmers to adopt good agronomic practices such as field leveling, proper nursing and transplanting of seedlings, and ensuring proper irrigation and application.
In response, Mr. Mohammed Alhassan Issahaku, a Rice seed farmer at Botanga, expressed his commitment to partnering with SARI to supply quality certified rice seeds to promote food security in the country.
