Biotech Updates

Ghanaian Farmers and Government Officials Sensitized on Biotechnology

August 22, 2013

The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Ghana Chapter held a sensitization workshop on 16 August 2013 for farmers and government officials on the applications of agricultural biotechnology and its potential benefits for Ghana's Agriculture. Taking part in the workshop were farmers and officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture from the southern and middle-belt of the Volta Region, in Ho District. 

Among the speakers were Dr. Yaa Difie Osei from the University of Ghana who noted that agricultural biotechnology was set to make a huge contribution to Ghana's food security. This fact, she added, was evidenced by the Ghanaian governments' efforts to put in place institutional and legal frameworks like the Biosafety Act (831) as well as boosting human capacity for agricultural biotechnology in the country.

Also speaking at the event was Dr. Margaret Ottah Atikpo, the Chairperson of OFAB Ghana who advised the farmers on the potential benefits of agricultural biotechnology. "The technology offers us immense potential for higher yields, reduced farm costs, drought-resistant seeds, higher profits and nutritional properties as well as almost negligible post-harvest losses and increased shelf-life," she noted. The sensitization workshop was organized by OFAB Ghana under the auspices of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

To read full story, go to: http://www.businessghana.com/portal/news/index.php?op=getNews&news_cat_id=1&id=188711, or contact magatik@yahoo.co.uk.