<<Print>>

Mr. Samuel Owusu-Takyi, Director of the Kumasi Institute of Tropical Agriculture (KITA), has encouraged farmers to adopt organic farming techniques to ensure the production of wholesome food crops. Research, he said, indicated that the nutritional quality and micro-nutrients were present in higher quantities in organically-produced crops and that this makes them ideal for human consumption. Organic farming is a technique used in farming without the use of any chemicals or synthesis to maintain the life of the soil, not only for the current generation, but also for the future generation. Mr. Owusu-Takyi in a briefing with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) over the week-end, at Domeabra near Kumasi said �Organic Vegetable Project� is being undertaken by KITA. He said studies had shown that as of 2011, approximately 37, 000, 000 hectares were farmed organically, representing approximately 0.9 per cent of the total world farmland. Mr. Owusu-Takyi said in the wake of the mass use of all kinds of harmful chemicals in the production of food crops, organic farming remained the panacea to improving the situation to enhance the health of the people. The project bothers on the application of rabbit waste in the production of carrots instead of the use of chemicals which comes with its own side effects. The first phase of the project, which commenced about three months ago, had yielded positive results with the Institute harvesting almost 30 bags of carrots from its research farm station. Mr. Owusu-Takyi said the second phase which is currently in progress is expected to come out with more positive results. The Crops and Soil Department of KITA is spearheading the programme as part of efforts to discourage the use of chemicals in the production of vegetables for the benefit of the nation. Mr. Owusu-Takyi said there were plans to introduce the idea to vegetable growers upon completion of the project to enhance their livelihood and farming techniques in general. KITA, the first private agricultural college to be accredited by the National Accreditation Board, seeks to raise a new generation of professional Agriculturist to revolutionize the practice of agriculture and farming, using the best acceptable training methods.