The Adansi South District has taken steps to boost food security as more farmers in the area are introduced to high-yielding and disease-resistant maize varieties.

This is being done under a joint project by the Food and Agriculture Ministry (MOFA) and the Crops Research Institute (CRI) with support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Mr. Obrien Nyarko, the District Director of Agriculture, mentioned some of the varieties as “Pan 53”, “Honampa”, “Pioneer”, “Omankwa”, “Timtim”, “Abontem” and “Obaatanpa”.

The goal, he said, was to substantially increase maize production and returns to improve the livelihood of the people.

Speaking to farmers and agricultural extension agents, during a visit to a demonstration farm established at Atobiase, near New Edubiase, he said the other high point was that the new seeds had high nutritional value - good for consumption by both humans and animals.

He pointed out that the farmers could no longer rely of on maize seeds they had over the years been planting because of the deficiencies and traits of vulnerability to diseases.

The demonstration farm has been providing practical training to farmers in modern farming practices – planting and harvesting methods, to reduce post-harvest losses.

Mr. Isaac Kwabena Sakodie, the District Chief Farmer, encouraged his colleague farmers to give preference to the hybrid seeds and said the benefits could be enormous.