News
January 30,2023
ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN JANUARY 2023.
The month of January experienced hot weather.
Activities that were carried out include:
Extension Services Delivery
1. Home and farm visit
Agriculture Extension Agents (AEAs) assisted farmers, Farmers Based Organizations (FBOs) and other clients along the agricultural value chain by providing them with technical knowledge on new technologies as well as advisory services.
2. Monitoring and Supervision
a. A household reported of fungal infection known as sooty mold on a young mango plant and the invasion of ants in the compound at night in Comm.20. The department was called upon to assess the situation and recommend possible measures to combat the menace. Chemicals such as ‘Adepa’, ‘Viper’ and ‘Alata Samina’ have been used alternatively over a period of about 4 weeks now.
MDA and AEA at Comm.20 assessing Officer applying treatment on the affected mango,the situation on the mango plant plant: Day 1
b. A greenhouse farmer reported to the department about poor performance of tomato plants in his greenhouse at Vivian Farm. The department went to assess the facility and identified that:
- There were serious whiteflies infection in the greenhouse.
- The planting media was heavily infested.
- Mode of irrigation was not regulated.
- The farmer applied a wrong chemical at a high dosage in a bid to control the whiteflies thus scorching the tomato plants. The farmer was advised to destroy the highly infested plants and sterilize the soil to restart the production again. The extent at which the plants were damaged presents no other option to salvage the situation than to start afresh. The department has pledged to provide technical assistance should the farmer start afresh.
Staff of the Agric department inspecting green house of tomatoes and providing technical advice.
The department provided maintenance and nurturing of the aesthetic plants in the flower pots and the assembly’s compound. Potted plants were earthened up and manure was applied. Dead plants were also replaced with new ones. Plants were then watered and carefully positioned.
AEAs treating plants media and applying manure to boost development.
3. Food Demonstrations
The department organized two demonstrations on fish and ginger processing for 30 women as alternative ways of generating income and nutritional improvement at Adjei Kojo. They were taught how to make fish spring roll, fish samosa, pineapple ginger juice and water melon ginger juice.
Demonstration on Fish Processing at Adjei Kojo
Demonstration on Ginger Processing at Adjei Kojo
4. Crop Demonstration
The department is practicing mulching on some crops under cultivation such as habanero pepper, cocoyam, okro and pepper in sacks and on ground. This is to maintain the moisture content of the soil and the plants because of the dry season.
Mulching of peppers to control soil moisture loss.
Habanero pepper on ground 
Pepper in sacks 
Cocoyam
5. Seed Production
The department carried out a demonstration on lettuce plants to ascertain the viability of seeds produced/extracted from locally cultivated plants. Viability test conducted on the seeds was about 80%. The seedlings have been transplanted and are doing well.
AEA extracts seeds from dried lettuce florrets, Sample seedlings from extracted seeds, Seeds Extracted ready for planting
6. Veterinary Services
The veterinary unit of the department undertook antemortem and postmortem activities at the Accra abattoir. Cattle (374), sheep (29) and goats (146) were slaughtered in the month of January 2023. Veterinary extension services were provided to small ruminant farmers where animals were vaccinated against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and some infected animals clinically attended to. Some deaths were recorded due to the high mortality rate posed by the disease. Farmers were advised to vaccinate their small ruminants against the disease to prevent the occurrence of future outbreak.
7. Market Survey
| Commodities | Weight (kg) | Prices (gh₵) |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato (navrongo) | 4.5 | 100.00 |
| Onion (5 pieces) | 1 | 10.00 |
| Okro | 0.4 | 2.00 |
| Gari | 2.5 | 25.00 |
| Maize(White) | 2.5 | 20.00 |
| Orange(25 pieces) | 5.3 | 25.00 |
| Yam(pua) | 2.4 | 22.00 |
| Rice(imported) | 2.5 | 40.00 |
| Eggs(Large Size) | 3.1 | 50.00 |
| Bonnet pepper | 0.35 | 5.00 |
| Broiler (25 pieces) | 2.6 | 120.00 |