NEW JUABEN NORTH MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SUBMITTED BY:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
INTRODUCTION
One of the major constraint posed to effective agricultural development is weak linkages between research and extension in many developing countries. To enable various stakeholders, share ideas on how to improve on the weak linkages existing between research institutions and extension agencies in the country, lead to the creation of Research-Extension-Farmer Linkage Committees (RELCs) to serve as an interface between the National Agricultural Research System and the National Agricultural Extension System. Their primary purpose is to create a bridge between research, extension, farmers and agribusiness and other stakeholders along the Agricultural value chain. It is also to encourage active participation, enhance interaction and bring decision making in technology development and dissemination closer to farmers and all the stakeholders in Agriculture. The RELC have since made reasonable progress towards the achievement of the objectives for which it was created. It has since become mandatory for all Agricultural departments in the country to organize RELC planning sessions annually to discuss activities and identify constraints within the sector, the possible causes of such challenges and come up with possible solutions to address them.
In relation with these objectives, the Department of Agriculture in the New Jauben North Municipal conducted this year’s R.E.L.C. planning session at the Municipal Assembly hall annex. A cross section of stakeholders in the rural development and the agricultural value chain in the Municipal were convened to deliberate on issues challenging Agriculture development and the way forward. The session begun with arrival and registration of participants. It continued with a brief self-introduction of all stakeholders and a word of prayer by a participant. The Dept. Director of Agriculture Mr. Emmanuel Amenu welcomed all participants and encourage all to contribute effectively towards the success of the program. He explained to participants the reason for the meeting. Hon. Comfort Asante, the Municipal Chief Executive in her key note address edged participants to bring out all constraints facing them in their area of work and encouraged them to fully participate in all activities for the day. The Regional Director of Agriculture Mad. Hajia Habiba Yusifu, also adviced for full participation by all.
Hon. MCE Presenting her Address The MDA Presenting His Welcome Address
Regional Director Delivery her Speech A Farmer Interviewed By the Media
ZONAL RELC MEETING
Small focus group discussions were conducted in all the four Agricultural zones in the municipality to identify stakeholder constraints to reduce the number of participants at main RELC panning session also, to get a greater number and a fair representation of constraints faced by clients in the Agricultural value chain. All identified constraints listed during the focus group discussions were, compiled together with key activities planned & implemented by the Department to resolve previous years RELC constraints and presented to participants.
IMAGES FROM THE ZONAL RELC SESSIONS
KEY ACTIVITIES PLANNED & IMPLEMENTED TO RESOLVE PREVIOUS YEARS RELC CONSTRAINTS TABLE
| key Constraints Identified During Previous Years RELC Session | key Activities Planned to Resolve Identified Constraints
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key Activities
Implemented to Resolve Identified Constraints
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Outcomes/
Achievements
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| Lack of marketing centers
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The department planned to :
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The department have:
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| Difficult in accessing loan for farming.
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The department planned to facilitate:
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| PERD coconut seedlings not received.
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The department will:
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The department:
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| Maize
§ Yellowing of leaves § Stunted Growth § Poor germination rate
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The department planned to conduct demonstrations on:
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The department Conducted demonstrations with farmers on :
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Farmers are now applying:
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| ROOT &TUBERS
§ Cassava Leave Curl
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The department have conducted demonstrations to multiply the following improved
Varieties:
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MCE & MDA Presenting Oil Processing Machine to the Distribution of Coconut Seedlings to Farmers
Group
IDENTIFIED CONSTRAINTS
CEREALS & LEGUMES
| COMMODITY | PROBLEMS | POSSIBLE CAUSES | POSSIBLE
SOLUTION |
CATEGORIZATION | ||
| EXT
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POLICY
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RESEARCH
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| Maize | § Improper use of agro-chemicals such as 2,d-4
§ Shortage of improved seeds at the beginning of the farming season. § Lack of storage facilities
§ Post-harvest losses |
§ Inadequate education.
§ Insufficient supply of seeds by
§ Inadequate market information. § Lack of maintenance.
§ Inadequate education on post-harvest mgt
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§ Intensify education on proper use of agro- chemicals.
§ Seed growers to produce more seeds
§ Assess market information.
§ Building of storage facilities.
§ Train on farmers on the use hermetic bags to store cereals and legumes. § Education on post-harvest management. |
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LEGUMES Beans ( cowpeas)
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§ Root knots. No seed formation in pods. § Knots on plants
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| Groundnuts |
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VEGETABLES
| COMMODITY | PROBLEMS | POSSIBLE CAUSES | POSSIBLE
SOLUTION |
CATEGORIZATION
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| Ext | POLICY
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RESEARCH
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| Okro
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Root knots | Nematode attack |
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| Pepper
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Avoid extracting own seeds and purchase improved seeds
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| Cabbage
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TREE CROPS
| COMMODITY | PROBLEMS | POSSIBLE CAUSES | POSSIBLE
SOLUTION |
CATEGORIZATION
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| Ext | POLICY
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RESEARCH
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| Palm Tree
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| Mango
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| Coconut
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| Citrus
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ROOT &TUBERS
| COMMODITY | PROBLEMS | POSSIBLE CAUSES | POSSIBLE
SOLUTION |
CATEGORIZATION
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| Ext | POLICY
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RESEARCH
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| Cassava
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| Yam & Cocoyam
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| Potatoes |
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POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK
| COMMODITY | PROBLEMS | POSSIBLE CAUSES | POSSIBLE
SOLUTION |
CATEGORIZATION
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| Ext | POLICY
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RESEARCH
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| Poultry
Local fowls
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§ Sheep and goat pox
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§ Bacillary white disease
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§ Bio security § Personal hygiene § Contact your veterinary officer
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| § Milk fever
§ Goat hybrid breeding Maternal death § Diarrhoea & sudden death. § Miscarriage
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§ Vitamin deficiency
§ Hormonal depletion. § Environmental problems / adjustment
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§ Vitamin supplement
§ Administration of synthetic hormones
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| Pigs
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CROSS CUTTING ISSUES
| COMMODITY | PROBLEMS | POSSIBLE CAUSES | POSSIBLE
SOLUTION |
CATEGORIZATION
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| Ext | POLICY
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RESEARCH
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| Farmland |
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GROUP WORK AND PRESENTATION
Participants were grouped into six for further identification of constraints to be compiled at the RELC session. The problems identified were then prioritized under selected commodities using set criteria. They analyzed the causes underlying the major problems and possible solutions. The problems were then categorized as researchable, policy or requiring action from extension services. Each of the, constrains depending on the action to be taken. The various groups after their group work made presentations for further deliberations. Mr. Zackariah a mushroom farmer shared with the house the trainings and experiences he gained from the Municipal Agricultural Department. Again, two other farmers Mr. Samuel Amponsah Twum and Mr. Thomas Korsah respectively briefed participants on the need to work hand in hand with the Municipal Agricultural Office to achieve the required trainings and connections to boast their farming business.
CONCLUSION
In the closing remarks the Regional Director of Agriculture was grateful for a presentation well done and edged participants to adopt information and technologies disseminated by the department of Agriculture to reap their full benefits associated with them. The Municipal Director of Agriculture, Mr. Emmanuel Amenu assured participants of the department of Agriculture’s commitment to plan appropriate trainings and activities to take care of challenges that came up during the session which require action from extension services, those that demand research solutions, will also be dealt with accordingly.
Again, he mentioned that proper monitoring will be done to ascertain that trainings are well implemented as planned. He entreated them to take their various enterprises very serious to improve their livelihoods and also to ensure food security in the Municipal, Ghana and the world as a whole. He encouraged all to help in making farming attractive to the youth. He expressed his profound gratitude to all stakeholders for participating in this year’s RELC session and commended the participants for their inputs which brought out challenges associated with their work. He wished them well in all their endeavors. He also thanked the MCE, Regional team and all participants for their immense support in making the program a success.
Finally, the MCE encouraged all participants to educate all their wards to be responsible citizens of the nation in the future because these little once are the future of the nation. She was full of praise for farmers and their contribution to food security and the economic development of the country. She was poised, that Assembly will do its best to find possible solutions to the issues raised that require the Assembly’s attention. The session came to a close with prayer from Mr. Peter Tetteh Botwe.
APPENDIX – LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Stakeholders/ Participants
| No | Participants | Male | Female | Total |
| 1 | Department of Agriculture | 14 | 7 | 21 |
| 2 | Regional representatives | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 4 | Farmers | 17 | 9 | 26 |
| 5 | Municipal Assembly | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Processor | 1 | 1 | ||
| 6 | Total | 37 | 22 | 59 |