Regional News of Sunday, 8 November 2009

Source: GNA

Farmers in Wa East District afraid of crop failure

Funsi, UWR, Nov. 8, GNA - Farmers in the Wa East District are afraid of an eminent crop failure, due to this year's torrential rains in the area. The rains have affected the cultivation of guinea corn, a major staple crop in the district, which often matures between October and November. A survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency in the South Sissala area of the district showed that the expectation of farmers about a bumper harvest of the crop have been curtailed by the downpour. They however expressed hope that crops like rice and yam are likely to do well.

Mr. Alhasssan Asimah, a peasant farmer at Funsi said the rains also affected the cultivation of groundnuts. "But for the torrential rains, this year's crop performance would have been the best," he said.

Mr. Jukai Gabina, a farmer appealed to the National Disaster Management Organisation and other non-governmental organisations to assess the situation and aid the most affected farmers. Mr. Gabina asked the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to supply early maturing varieties of maize and rice to farmers to boost production.