Australia is promoting the adoption of improved seed varieties to support farmers in Ghana increase their grain production and become more efficient.

Through this initiative, Australia is also supporting the integration of crops and livestock to improve crop and animal production.

“Australia is working to build longer-term scientific capacity in Ghana and across West Africa in partnership with national governments and local communities,” High Commissioner, Mr. William Billy Williams, said while visiting a seed project site near Tamale.

The High Commissioner visited the seeds systems project site at Nyankpala in the Tolon-Kumbugu district of the northern region --where his country is improving farmers’ access to quality seeds for major staple crops such as sorghum, millet, maize, and groundnut.

The project, which is largely funded by the Australian Agency for international Development (AusAID), is developing science and innovation for increased agricultural production.

The High Commissioner, who was in the Northern Region to mark this year’s Science Renaissance Day, said he was fortunate to be in the north to celebrate the day with the people.

Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana, Dr. Abdullai Baba Salifu, said the role of science and technology is essential in Ghana’s quest to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“This cannot be possible without science and technology; this shows that through scientific research, Ghana could meet the MDGs before 2015.”

Dr. Salifu added that the development of agriculture is fundamental to the development of the country and praised CSIR’s partnership with local and international organisations to help improve agriculture in the country.

The Scientific Renaissance Day of Africa is set aside every year to assess the development of scientific research in Africa.