30 farmers benefit from technology

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 28 April ?99

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) is to establish an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) project at Akomadan, a major vegetable growing area in the Offinso district to equip about 30 farmers with the technology.

The IPM technology entails the minimal use of pesticides in controlling plant pests and diseases through the use of clean seeds, planting at the right time, correct spacing, timely weeding, fertiliser application and harvesting at the right time.

Also, farmers use all the available cultural and physical practices that are environmentally friendly to control pests under the system.

At a workshop for vegetable farmers within the Kumasi metropolitan area in Kumasi, Mr Ben Frank Amponsah, Ashanti Regional Development Officer of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services (PPRS) noted that areas around Akomadan, a major tomato growing area, has a high rate of pesticides abuse.