'We are comfortable with our own grown seeds'- PFAG

Accra, May 26, GNA - The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has said that farmers are comfortable with their own home grown seeds and had exhibited potentials to produce for domestic consumption and for exports.

Mr. Charles Nyaaba, the Programmes officer, PFAG said these potentials would be achieved if the bottleneck such as feeder roads, storage facilities, market infrastructure, extension service support, irrigation and post-harvest loses were addressed.

Mr Nyaaba was speaking at Asutuare in the Dangbe West District of the Greater Accra Region, during a protest march against Monsanto, the largest Genetically Modified (GMO) seed company, based in the United States.

The march was on the theme: 'The Seed Belongs To us Not Monsanto'.

He said the march against Monsanto was to guard the sovereignty of smallholder farmers in Africa over their right to save seed, sell and exchange amongst themselves.

He said the protest was to protect the country's indigenous resources; good health and vitality against neo-colonialism.

He said whilst the proponents of GMO foods claimed that GM seeds were high yielding and pest resistant, and that, it would take farmers out of poverty, farmers believed that it would rather lead small holder farmers to destroy their own seeds.

Mr. Nyaaba, said the Association was convinced that GM seeds would rather lead small holder farmers to their early graves.

The Programme Officer said the objective of Monsanto was to monopolize the seed market in the world and make the highest profit it could, with no concern for adverse effects on livelihood of farmers.

The march was attended by over 1,000 farmers, made up of members of the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development,Agricultural Sovereignty, Ghana, and PFAG.

GNA