CSIR-CRI Advances Sustainable Plantain Farming with Mechanization Workshop
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) has once again demonstrated its leadership in agricultural innovation by organizing a comprehensive workshop aimed at promoting mechanization in plantain production in Ghana.
The workshop, which was organized by the Mechanization and Work in Agroecological Transitions (MECAWAT) project, is part of CSIR-CRI’s ongoing efforts to address the persistent challenges confronting plantain farmers. The two-day event drew participants such as researchers, engineers from the CSIR and partner institutions, smallholder farmers, agricultural extension agents, machinery fabricators, and development partners.
A Timely Intervention for a Key Food Crop
Plantain is one of Ghana’s staple foods and a significant source of income for thousands of smallholder farmers. However, production is largely done using manual labour, which is laborious, time-consuming, and limits the scale of operation. With growing demand for plantain both for domestic consumption and industrial use, experts agree that mechanization offers a timely solution for improving productivity, reducing drudgery, and modernizing the sector.
In his welcome address, the Deputy Director of CSIR-CRI, Dr. Ernest Baafi, expressed gratitude to the stakeholders of the MECAWAT project and emphasized the importance of mechanization and climate smart technologies in the plantain value chain. He noted that despite plantain’s importance to Ghana’s food security and economy, it has not received adequate mechanization interventions compared to other crops. “Mechanization is essential if we want to move beyond subsistence production and meet the increasing market demand. It also ensures farming is attractive to the youth and helps reduce post-harvest losses,” he stressed.
The coordinator of the MECAWAT project, Dr. Natson Eyram Amengor, outlined the objectives of the project and indicated the progress made under the various work packages. He stated that the project aims to contribute to the development of agro-ecological agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa, through the mechanization of crop production operations, with the aim of combining better labor productivity with less drudgery and a work organization favorable to women and youth. He indicated the project would make modifications to the weeders and motorized augers it had manufactured for farmers so they are more user friendly.
Technical Presentations and Practical Demonstrations
The workshop featured detailed technical presentations by various experts as well as researchers from CSIR-CRI’s Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, and Socio-Economics Divisions, covering topics such as:
- Work organization and mechanization in the plantain value chain in Ghana
- Overview of mechanization in Ghana.
- Insight of Small Machines Experiment from Benin and Ivory Coast
- Acquisition and Modification of Mechanized Tools for Plantain Production
- Motorized Weeder & Auger Community Module/Plantain Mechanization Ecosystem
Breakout Sessions: Sharing Perspectives and Charting the Way Forward
A highlight of the workshop was the breakout session, where participants were divided into thematic groups to deliberate on specific areas of plantain mechanization and propose actionable recommendations. Each group was moderated by a resource person. Discussions within the groups were highly engaging, with participants sharing personal farming experiences, challenges, and ideas for adopting mechanized solutions. Some key issues raised included:
- The high cost and limited availability of mechanized equipment suitable for smallholder farms.
- Lack of trained operators and maintenance services for farm machinery at the community level.
- The need for farmer cooperatives to pool resources for acquiring mechanized equipment.
- Limited access to credit facilities tailored for agricultural mechanization.
At the end of the breakout session, group leaders presented their findings and recommendations to the plenary. Among the notable proposals were:
- The establishment of community mechanization centres equipped with plantain-specific machinery and staffed with trained operators.
- Organizing periodic on-farm demonstrations and training workshops on mechanized practices.
- Developing affordable lease or hire-purchase schemes for farmers to access mechanized tools.
- Promoting farmer group collaborations to ease the cost burden and improve access to mechanization services.
Engaging Discussions and Stakeholder Feedback
Participants, including farmers, extension agents, agro-input dealers, machinery manufacturers, and policymakers, engaged actively in question-and-answer sessions and open discussions. Farmers expressed their challenges in accessing appropriate machinery and called for increased collaboration between research institutions and equipment manufacturers to make these technologies affordable and accessible.
Madam Abena Konadu, a plantain farmer from the Ashanti Region, shared her experience:
“Labour for farm work is becoming scarce and expensive. These mechanized tools, if made available, can make a big difference for us, especially for tasks like planting and weeding.”
Extension officers from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) also lauded the initiative, indicating that such capacity-building efforts are essential for bridging the gap between research and practical farming.
Recommendations and Future Outlook
The workshop concluded with several recommendations, including:
- Establishing regional mechanization centres equipped with plantain-specific machinery.
- Enhancing farmer access to credit facilities to acquire or lease farm equipment.
- Scaling up demonstrations of mechanized tools at community and district levels.
- Promoting partnerships between CSIR-CRI, MoFA, private sector players, and farmer cooperatives for technology dissemination.
Field Visit: Hands-On Experience with Mechanized Tools
As part of the workshop’s experiential learning component, participants embarked on a field visit to CSIR-CRI’s plantain research fields at Fumesua. The visit provided an opportunity for farmers and stakeholders to see mechanized tools and technologies in action under real field conditions.
Led by Dr. Isaac Osei Bonsu, an agronomist, participants observed live demonstrations of motorized weeders and augers designed for efficient use on plantain fields. Farmers had the opportunity to ask practical questions, and even test some of the tools themselves. Many expressed excitement at the prospect of adopting these innovations to improve farm productivity and reduce the physical drudgery associated with traditional methods.
Mr. Daniel Appiah, a plantain farmer remarked,“Seeing the machines work in the field gives us confidence that these technologies can truly improve our work and make plantain farming more profitable. I hope these machines can be made accessible to us soon.”
Closing Remarks and Way Forward
In his closing address, Dr. Ernest Baafi, thanked participants for their active involvement and assured them that CSIR-CRI remains committed to partnering with farmers and stakeholders to promote modern, sustainable farming practices. He noted that the valuable feedback from the breakout sessions and field demonstrations would guide future research and outreach initiatives. He further encouraged participants to serve as ambassadors for mechanization in their communities and to actively seek out collaborative opportunities to improve access to mechanized services.
