Kumasi, Feb 27, GNA - Dr. P.Y. Boateng, a senior lecturer in Vegetable/Production of the Department of Horticulture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has described as not only erroneous but also unfortunate the notion in certain circles of society that horticulture was only about ornamentals or the growing of flowers. He said horticulture goes far beyond mere ornamentals and the cultivation of flowers, extending to a wide range of the cultivation of crops and allied activities.

Dr Boateng made the assertion when he briefed the GNA on what horticulture entailed and the impact it has on development of the national economy in Kumasi at the weekend. Dr Boateng, who is also President of the Midle Zone of the Ghana Institute of Horticulturists (GhIH), made it clear that, "vegetables, fruits and oil palm are all horticultural crops as well as flowers". "All crops that are also nursed before planting are also horticultural crops together with activities related to landscaping", he added.

Dr Boateng noted that most farmers were engaged in horticultural crop farming but ignorantly do not know that such was the form of farming they were pursuing. He stressed the need for exporters of fruits and vegetables to link up with the GhIH and the Department of Horticulture and assist the two bodies to come up with research findings that they could judiciously utilise to enhance their businesses. He said even though the GhIH undertakes research like the Department of Horticulture into vegetables and fruits among other ventures, they lack adequate funds for such ventures.

Dr Boateng said it would therefore, be prudent for such businesses to assist the GhIH to delve into such research and come out with findings that could be of benefit to them.