In a bid to boost agricultural productivity for both commercial and domestic purposes, a cohort of 25 seed inspectors based in Nyankpala, Northern Region, underwent specialized training on sorghum seed certification.
Conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), in collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), the training aimed to enhance the capacity of seed inspectors from the Ghana Seed Inspectorate Division, Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Mr. Abdul Rashid Issah, a Seed Technologist at CSIR-SARI, explained that the training focused on familiarizing inspectors with the distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability of various commercial sorghum varieties in Ghana. Additionally, it aimed to equip them with knowledge on the value for cultivation and use of these varieties, along with identifying sorghum diseases and economically significant insect pests.
Mr. Kenneth Opare-Obuoni, Head of the Sorghum Improvement Programme at CSIR-SARI, emphasized the importance of professionalism and proactivity among seed inspectors in ensuring the delivery of high-quality sorghum seed to farmers. He urged them to utilize their newfound skills to verify the origin and variety of sorghum seeds effectively.
Madam Adek Azantilow, one of the trained Seed Inspectors, appealed to the government to bolster the workforce of seed inspectors to meet the growing demand for certified seeds. She also called upon governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to provide adequate resources and support to improve the efficiency of seed inspection processes, ultimately ensuring farmers’ access to quality seeds for farming endeavors.
