RICE FARMERS FIELD DAY AT CSIR- CRI
Twenty-five(25)rice farmers from the Asante Akim district of the Ashanti region of Ghana have participated in a field day at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute.
Selected from various communities within the district, they expressed their desire to learn, share and build on their knowledge of rice farming.
To begin with, they were briefed on the various research activities being conducted at CSIR-CRI.
The major discussion for the field day was was on the proper application of fertilizers as well as good fertilizer treatment methods.
Farmers were made to observe rice fields and respective fertilizer treatments that were being applied to them.
There were four different rice treatment fields; each treated with a different fertilizer application method. The farmers were made to choose the rice field they preferred.
The researchers sought the farmers’ recommendations and their preferences regarding the fertilizer treatments.
Good agronomic practices were also discussed. These comprised the importance of planting rice in lines, protecting the rice in its flowering stage, refilling as well as pest and disease control.
The farmers were advised to be proactive, and purchase seeds of improved rice varieties from the CSIR-CRI.
List of contributors: Dr. Maxwell Darko Asante, Bernard Sakyiamah, Linda Agyeman, Augustine Ofosu, Peter Amankwaah, Enoch Osei Tutu, David Kow Amo, Patricia Konadu Mensah, Enoch Bobie Agyemang
