Vegetable growers rally to provide quality products

Offinso (Ash), April 20, GNA - Vegetable farmers have been counselled to avoid over application of agro chemicals to protect the health of consumers.

The advice was given by Mr Divine James Buo, Agribusiness Cluster Advisor for Two Sustainable Cluster in Agribusiness through Learning and Sustainable project (2 SCALE), under the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC).

He warned that overdose application of agro-chemicals was not only a huge hazard for consumers but also ruins the environment.

Mr Buo said everything must be done to adhere to best farming practices in the entire vegetable value-chain, that is; production, harvesting, and handling at market outlets so as not to harm the environment and compromise the quality of foods.

The Agribusiness Advisor was speaking on 'vegetable production and soil quality management' at a five-day workshop for vegetable growers at Offinso.

Put together by 2 SCALE, the workshop was attended by 45 participants from five regions- Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta, Northern and Upper East, and it was aimed at building their capacities in vegetable farming techniques.

It was also to introduce the farmers to modern best practices and innovations in vegetable production.

Mr Buo urged all actors, both in production and distribution in the value chain, to stick to standard practices to ensure that consumers access quality, hygienic and safe vegetable produce.

Mr. Yaw Nkrumah, a participant called for more study techniques in demonstration farms to enable farmers to improve on their yields, while Mr Angelo Norkplim Agbodzie, also a participant advocated quality farm inputs and financial support which would enable them to increase their production.

GNA