Regional News of Saturday, 30 December 2006

Source: GNA

Poor rainfall pattern adversely affects farmers

Winneba (C/R), Dec. 30, GNA - Food producers in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya district of the Central Region have expressed shock at the poor rainfall pattern in the area during the mid-crop season. During a survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency in Awutu-Bawjiase, Senya-Beraku and the Effutu Traditional areas prior to the Yuletide festivities, about 30 food growers whose maize farms were affected expressed grave concern about the poor rainfall situation they encountered during the period.

Framers who were severely hit by the erratic rainfall pattern were the commercial farmers who cultivated large maize farms.

When contacted later, Mr. Gershon Wodzrah, Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), confirmed the plight of the farmers, and expressed his sympathy for the affected food growers.

Mr. Wodzrah said that the situation had affected socio-economic capabilities of most food producers in the district.

He said his outfit supplied large consignment of fertilizers to farmers in the district who took part in mid-crop farming business but, unfortunately, the move did not yield the expected results due to weather failure. 30 Dec. 06