FOOD PRODUCTION BOOMS IN ASUTIFI DISTRICT (MIRROR, NOV 27, 2010, PAGE 35)

From Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Ntotroso

Food production, especially plantain, cassava, cocoyam and maize in the Asutifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region, witnessed a steady percentage increase over the past four years, mainly due to the adoption of good agricultural practices by farmers.
Additionally, increased extension services, farmer to farmer training by field officers as well as the supply of and use of high quality yielding inputs.
In 2009, a total of 301,438 metric tonnes (Mt) of plantain was produced as against 274,748Mt recorded the previous year while in 2007, the production level was 225,381Mt and a total of 216,713Mt in 2006.
For cassava, the district recorded 264,002Mt in 2009; 243,710Mt in 2008; 262,629Mt the previous year and 236, 178Mt in 2006, representing 10.54 per cent while in the case of cocoyam, the figures recorded were, 137,213Mt, in 2009; 118,427Mt in 2008; 104,137Mtin 2007 and 101,104Mt the previous year.
The consistent food productivity levels was as a result of the provision of a total of $10million by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (NGGL) operating the Ahafo Mine in the district to about 5,000 farmers, who have been affected by the development of the mine to re-establish their livelihood, under a programme known as the Agricultural Improvement and Land Access Programme (AILAP).
The Asutifi District Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Mr Kodwo A. Intsuah, disclosed this at the 2010 Farmers Open Day organised by the company at Ntotroso in the district on Tuesday with the theme, “ Grow More Food: Food Security, our Priority”.
Giving the recorded statistics for maize during the period, Mr. Intsuah indicated that 13,983Mt was produced in 2009; 14,043Mt in 2008; 13,868 in 2007 and 12,165Mt produced in 2006, while yam had 2,014Mt in 2009; 1,919Mt the previous year, 1,647Mt in 2007 and 1,551 in 2006.
For rice, the district MoFA Director pointed out that a total of 388Mt was produced in 2009 while 312Mt was recorded in 2008; 291 in 2007 and 286 produced the previous year, adding that in view of the increase in productivity, there was always bumper harvests at the peak of the harvesting season.
He therefore called for proper marketing avenues and value chain additions.
The External Affairs Manager of NGGL, Mr Kojo Bedu-Addo, said there had been an increase in farm size for the production of maize from 5,840 hectares in 2004 to 6,102 hectares in 2009, adding that Newmont had a vested interest in the improvement of livelihoods and economic development of communities in the area.
He appealed to the farmers and other stakeholders in the community to focus on projects that would enhance the development of agriculture and agro-business in the district, since mining would not be a feature of the district forever.
“The mine will come to the end of its life in a couple of decades so we all need to begin to build legacies that can support and sustain the livelihood and development of the Asutifi District and its communities,” Mr Bedu-Addo explained.
The District Chief Executive for Asutifi, Mr Eric Addae, commended the management of the company for the assistance extended to the farmers who had been affected by the operation of the mine and expressed the hope that the farmers would continue to work harder to earn a decent living all the time.