PAY ATTENTION TO DRY SEASON FARMING — DEBRAH (PAGE 20)

Story: Chris Nunoo, Mandari

THE Minister of Agriculture, Mr Ernest Debrah, has challenged the chiefs and people of Mandari, near Bole in the Northern Region, to make good use of the various water bodies in the area.
He urged them to undertake dry season gardening to enhance food security in the area in particular and the nation at large.
Mr Debrah observed that relying solely on rain-fed agriculture could be disastrous, especially in times of drought since the gains made with respect to food production could be derailed.
The minister gave the advice in a speech read on his behalf during the celebration of the Seidu Bille festival at Mandari.
The Seidu Bille festival, which derived its name from the “tembi yam” from Cote d’Ivoire, is celebrated in April, every year, by the chiefs and people of Mandari.
It is to commemorate the arrival of Alhaji Seidu Bille from Cote d’Ivoire to Mandari with the “tembi yam” after visiting that country.
Mr Debrah said poverty reduction was one of the main concerns of the government and had manifested in the objectives being pursued by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in ensuring a lasting food security.
He paid tribute to Alhaji Seidu Bille for his gallant efforts of ensuring food security in the town.
The minister further advised farmers to stick to the recommended agronomic practices, adding that they should refrain from indiscriminate bush burning.
The Chief of Mandari, Mandariwura Mahama, appealed to the government for more development projects, such as electricity, schools, markets and an irrigation project to ensure an all-year-round farming in the community.
He said the communities in the area had never experienced any hunger since the introduction of the yam about 24 years ago.
The chief expressed regret that in spite of the enormous contributions of the people of Mandari to the nation’s food production over the years, not a single farmer had won a national award.