NGO trains seed farmers on improved seed production

Nyankpala (NR), Dec. 18, GNA - The Savanna Seed Services Company (SASSEC) a farmer-based NGO in the Northern Region on Tuesday, held a training session for some farmers in the region to improve their farming techniques. The aim of the training was to encourage the farmers to use only improved and certified seeds on their farms to ensure higher yields. Speaking at the function, Mr Patrick Adintingah Apullah, General Manager of the company said over the years, farmers in the area were losing a lot due to the use of uncertified seeds, which needed to be reversed.

He said farmers' income levels and living conditions could be improved if they use certified and improved seeds for production. He said due to the importance and benefits attached to seed production, The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), a Kenyan based charitable organization had put in place funds for research work in improved seeds to supply to farmers in the country. He said AGRA was also encouraging the private sector seed production companies to link up with the research institutions to undertake the development of crop varieties produced by plant breeders. Mr Apullah said farmers who would be trained and assisted by SASSEC would sell their products at a reduced price of about 40 per cent of the market price to the rural poor, as a means of reducing poverty. Mr Apullah advised the beneficiary farmers to take advantage of the programme and increase their production and that SASSEC in collaboration with AGRA would continue supporting them to improve their standard of living.