The European Union Ghana Agricultural Programme (EUGAP) has presented 15 tricycles and 51 motorbikes to some Departments of Agriculture to enhance extension services delivery and market access in northern Ghana.
The motorbikes were handed over to 14 District Agricultural Departments, including all eleven districts in the Upper West Region, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and North Gonja in the Savannah Region, and Mamprugu-Moagduri in the North-East Region.
The tricycles were also presented to farmer-based organisations (FBOs) in those districts who were recognised during the 40th Farmers’ Day celebration.
While the tricycles were expected to enable the FBOs transport farm produce to market centres with ease, reduce post-harvest losses and increase income generation, the motorbikes would enalble Agricultural Extension Agents to reach remote communities with extension services.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mr Irchad Razaaly, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, reaffirmed the commitment of the EU to promoting sustainable agriculture and resilient rural livelihoods in northern Ghana.
“Access to reliable transportation and logistics is key to ensuring that agricultural extension services and production are improved, especially in remote communities.
This support is key and fits into the overall vision of the EUGAP, which is, an inclusive, productive local economy providing sustainable livelihood”, he explained.
Mr Razaaly indicated that agriculture was a key pillar of the country’s economic transformation, uplifting farmers and rural communities and reinforcing Ghana’s trade with the rest of the world.
He expressed hope in the farmers’ ability to produce more and better food, which informed the selection to benefit from the equipment to encourage them to increase their productivity.
Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minster, acknowledged the EU’s continued support and commitment to humanity and development, particularly in the Upper West Region.
He said the EUGAP had helped increase incomes of farmers and promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Ghana’s North West.
Mr Puozuing said the programme had contributed to ensuring productive local economy and providing sustainable livelihood for the targeted population in the joint programme area.
Mr Huudu Abu, the Upper West Regional Director of Agriculture, observed that the EU’s support to the region’s agricultural sector had helped improve extension service provision, which in turn led to increased agricultural production and household food security.
The beneficiary FBOs expressed gratitude to the EU and its partners for their support in areas such as training on good agronomic practices and post-harvest management, and access to good seed varieties.
They added that the tricycles would enable them transport labourers to their farms and reduce their challenges in carting farm produce to the house and the market.
SOURCE: ACCESS AGRIC
