Crop Research Institute asked to tackle food security challenges

Fumesua (Ash), May 6, GNA - Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Environment Science Technology and Innovation, has urged the Crop Research Institute (CRI) to continue its efforts towards tackling the nation's food security challenges.

He said although the Institute had over the years worked tirelessly to introduce improved food crop varieties to increase food production, more is needed to be done to progressively raise crop yield and reduce food imports.

He told a meeting with the staff and management of the CRI at Fumesua that the government is deeply concerned about the huge import bill of food staples like rice and maize.

Mr Ayariga, who was touring research institutions under his Ministry in the Northern sector, said it is time they work closely with key stakeholders in other sectors to achieve adequate food security.

He urged them to be innovative and develop appropriate technologies that would meet the local needs and serve as alternative to those imported from outside.

On the Plant Breeders Bill (PBB), the Minister said the Bill is meant to provide a legislative framework to protect intellectual property in the development and production of new crop and plant varieties.

Mr Ayariga said it is important to help the people to gain a better understanding of the differences between the PBB and the Genetically Modified Organisms technologies to remove the confusion that has characterised the debate on the introduction of the bill.

Dr Mrs Stella Ennin, Director of CRI, said the Institute has developed and produced high yielding and quality crop varieties - maize, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, yams and others.

She announced that six cassava varieties are going to be released this year and for the first time ever, three cocoyam varieties have been released.

Dr Ennin said Ghana was the first country in Africa to develop and introduce high quality protein maize - currently being used by about 15 countries across the continent.

GNA