Three new varieties of high yielding cassava

Awutu Beraku (C/R) Nov. 10, GNA - The Ministry of Food and Agriculture in the Effutu Municipality and Awutu-Senya district have introduced three new varieties of high yielding cassava to some selected farmers in the area for multiplication. They are Bankehema and Akabom, which are good for Futu, Gari, Agblema and Starch while the third one, Esam is suitable for Gari, Agblema and Starch.

The Director of the Ministry in-charge of the two districts, Mr Gershong Woadzirah said this at the 24th National Farmers Day jointly organised by the two districts at Awutu Beraku on Friday. Mr Woadzirah said the new varieties could yield between 34 to 49 tons per hectare.

He said the Ministry has taken delivery of 20 dairy cattle from South Africa and distributed to some farmer around Kasoa to improve production of dairy milk in the district. These animals were artificially inseminated before they were brought down to Ghana, adding that ten of them have already delivered, he said. The Agriculture Director said the farmers involved have already been trained on dairy milk processing. According to him the programme is being sponsored by Heifer International.

He said the Ministry supported maize farmers with credit facility totalling 28,700.00 Ghana Cedis in the minor season for maize cultivation. Mr Woadzirah appealed to those who have not refunded the loan to do so to enable the programme continue.