The Crop Research Institute (CRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) held a training for farmers in Asesewa in the Upper Manya Krobo District under the theme “Together let’s save our cassava” to combat cassava viral infections.
The training featured agriculture extension officers and they were taught on the impacts of cassava mosaic virus disease, which has over the years proven to be transmitted by whiteflies and cuttings.
The step taken by CSIR was necessitated due to the adverse impact of the virus disease on food security and nutrition so as to be able to manage it properly and shore up cassava production.
Speaking to the farmers at Asesewa, a Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Allen Oppong, mentioned that the intervention was under the “Central and West Africa Virus Epidemiology” four-year project for root and tuber crops which was established in 2019.
According to him, the project has since been sensitizing cassava growers and extension officers on the impact of the cassava viral diseases, particularly the cassava mosaic virus disease and cassava brown steak virus disease.
There was an extensive training for both farmers and extension officers on other cassava diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, and pests such as green mites and mealy bugs, and how to strategically identify them for their effective management.
In his address, he encouraged farmers to periodically visit the nearest agriculture department for improved cassava sticks and cuttings, or check whether their cassava sticks were in healthier conditions before planting them.
In addition, he said, “Farmers should also monitor their farms regularly and report any strange symptoms or disease to agriculture extension officers.”
Also, the Director of Agriculture in the Upper Manya Krobo District, said the district has great potential for cassava production and that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has implemented some programmes and initiatives which is aimed at increasing cassava output in the district.
The farmers and extension officers present at the training were happy about the training session organized by CSIR to boost cassava production which is subsequently aimed at improving the agricultural sector.
“Farmers ought to periodically visit the nearest agriculture department for improved cassava sticks and cuttings, or check whether their cassava sticks were in healthier conditions before planting them”
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