Yapei, (NR), June 19, GNA- The Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in Tamale, has initiated a project to assist communities along the White Volta Basin in the Northern Region, to make judicious use of their resources to improve upon their standards of living. Under the Mid-Volta Eco-systems Restoration scheme, the NGO, would discourage activities that impacted negatively on the eco-system. It would also introduce effective fishing methods to the people towards bumper catch from the Volta Lake and to teach them modern farming techniques such as organic farming and sowing of improved seeds towards increased food production.

Mr. Bakari Sadid Nyari, project team leader, said these at a workshop organised to educate the people on the project, on Tuesday at Yapei in the Central Gonja District. He observed that farmers used unorthodox farming and fishing methods resulting in water pollution.

Mr. Bakari said it was necessary for all stakeholders seeking to develop the area to understand the cultural and socio-economic situation of the people.

He said those who would be ready to accept change would be assisted do away with destructive activities along the basin. Mr. Nyari said there was the need to take measures to maximise the effects of floods on the livelihoods of the people. The people commended RAINS for introducing the project and advised that it should intensify its education of the project to enable farmers and fishermen to learn about new approaches to agriculture development.