The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, has encouraged farmers to adopt organic farming to improve their livelihood and the country’s economy.
Addressing farmers at Bunso in the Eastern Region, the Okyenhene described organic farming as the new gold for improved wealth.
“Organic farming is the new gold, put up the right attitude to it. You cannot farm for over five years and still be poor,” he said.
In collaboration with Ecoland International, farmers from Germany, the Paramount Chief of the Akyem Abuakwa State is leading the way for organic farming in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area.
The Okyenhene is of the view that costly imported pesticides and chemicals used over the years only resulted in adverse effect on health and low production of crops.
He was hopeful organic farming would make families more resilient to economic crisis and shape the country’s net exports.
“Pesticides and chemicals are killing us. We had good land and clean water to plant good food for our children. But someone just decided to wreck it by doing galamsey. In the processing, mercury and cyanide get into the soil. We need to grow what we eat and get surplus to export for the needed foreign exchange.”
Organic farming promotes the use of compost manure and green manure whiles it discourages the use of harsh pesticides and chemical to preserve the natural environment.
At Bunso, an organic ginger demonstration farm is under cultivation to encourage farmers.
The President of Ecoland International, Rudolf Buhler, provoked thoughts that the country is already naturally positioned to establish its own natural food sovereignty.
“If we look at the present international economic crises, we should be aware about the large amount of food imports to Ghana. Shortages and inflation might come up since all these imports are subject to foreign exchange rate. Development of food sovereignty by developing and increasing agricultural production is of great importance but in a sustainable climate friendly way with the most resource efficient farming practices.”
The German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, posited organic farming should be the new gold and noted it is a sustainable way to resolve the issues of shortages and inflation that may come up soon, since all imports are subject to foreign exchange rate.
“Organic farming is the new gold. Only organic farming can guarantee the fertility of the land. Only organic farming can help families to be resilient to economic crises, as they did not need more cash for pesticides or fertilizer.
“Farmers need to understand and appreciate that opting for organic farming is cheaper than buying tractors.”
Source: 3News.com|Ghana
