Saltpond (C/R), Oct. 31, GNA - A three-day workshop organised by the Mfantseman District Agricultural Development Unit (DADU) with the support of the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) and the Integrated Crop Protection Project (ICP) to develop a three-year Medium Term District Agricultural Development Plan (MTDADP) has ended at Saltpond. About 50 stakeholders, made up of staff of MOFA, farmers, fishermen, fishmongers, traders NGOs and bankers took part in the workshop, the third in the series.

The two previous workshops introduced DADU to strategic planning as part of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) implementation process, identified and prioritised problems for agricultural development in the District.

They also identified the strengths and weaknesses of DADU for efficient implementation of sector plans and service delivery.

Mr Theophilus Otchere Larbi, Regional Development Officer for Plant Protection/GTZ/ICP Pproject, who was a resource person, said unlike the past when officials of MOFA met to draw plans for agricultural development, the Ministry in collaboration with GTZ had decided to involve the major stakeholders and interest groups in the exercise.

Mr Larbi said the exercise, which was started in Brong Ahafo Region on pilot basis had proved very effective, adding that with this strategy, farmers had been able to adopt improved technology with special reference to pest and pesticide management.

Mr Larbi said previously farmers were doing calendar spraying of crops whether attacked by pests or not but now did the spraying only when they saw signs of pest infestation.

He said farmers were now able to know how to manage pesticides to avoid health hazards.

Mrs Felicia Ansah-Amprofi, District Director of Agriculture, commended GTZ for supporting the workshop.

She appealed to the staff of MOFA, especially Agriculture Extension Agents (AEAs), to train farmers on what they had learnt at the workshop to improve efficiency and increase production.

Mrs Ansah-Amprofi also urged farmers, who attended, to practice what they had been taught.

The other resource persons were, Mr Kofi Attah Agyepong, Desk Office, MOFA/GTZ Sedentary Farming Systems Project and Miss Joyce Takyi, MOFA Subject Matter Specialist.