Research Institute To Release High Quality Protein Maize To Farmers

Accra, Aug. 19, - The Crops Research Institute (CRI) is releasing three quality protein maize (QPM) hybrids to farmers this year. The QPM is the first maize hybrid to be produced by the institute with the support of Sasakawa Global 2000. According to the newsletter of the Sasakawa Africa Association, Feeding the Future, Global 2000 is supporting Ghana in four main areas of agricultural activities. These are production technology and transfer, post-harvest activities, seed production and distribution and QPM. The newsletter said seed production target for 1997 was hampered by poor minor season rains. As a result, seed growers produced only 750 tonnes of maize seed, 25 per cent less than planned. The seed production target for 1997 is 1,500 tonnes of maize (70 per cent Obatanpa), 150 tonnes of cowpea and 200 tonnes of soybeans.