Kumasi: Farmers selected under the Seeds for Resilience (SfR) Project have received quality seeds of indigenous leafy vegetables, including Amaranth (Aleefu), Corchorus (Ayoyo), and Roselle (Sule), for planting.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Seeds for Resilience Project is being implemented by the Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with funding from the Crop Trust. Between 2022 and 2024, the project organized two participatory varietal selection events, enabling selected farmers from the Ashanti and northern regions to choose these three local vegetables based on vegetative and reproductive characters.
The focus of the user group engagement work plan of the SfR project culminated in the selection of 10 accessions of Amaranth, eight of Corchorus spp., and 12 of Roselle for seed multiplication by the CSIR – Crops Research Institute and the CSIR-Savannah Agricultural Research Institute. This effort resulted in the production of quality seeds in the Northern and Ashanti regions.
Dr. Patricia Pinamang Acheampong, a Principal Research Scientist at the CSIR-CRI and Focal Person of the SfR Project, emphasized during the final event that researchers would provide technical support to ensure farmers produce the crops in large quantities, making them more accessible to consumers. She highlighted the nutritional benefits of these indigenous leafy vegetables, recommending them for children and pregnant women due to their nutrient content.
Dr. Acheampong noted that these crops are indigenous to local soils, making them drought-resistant and easy to cultivate. Researchers encourage farmers to grow them in large quantities to enhance food security and address climate change issues.
Dr. Lawrence Misa Aboagye, the immediate past Director of the CSIR Plant Genetics Resources Research Institute, expressed hope that the seeds would lead to farm expansion and improved livelihoods for farmers. He advised farmers to continue using good quality seeds for better germination rates and higher plant populations.
Vegetable farmer Baba Rauf Abdullai from Oforikrom expressed optimism that the quality seeds would lead to higher yields and increased profits. He called on the Ministry of Agriculture to provide commercial storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses.
Madam Afia Wirenkyiwaa, a farmer from Barakese Ataase, urged researchers to maintain engagement with farmers and develop new drought-tolerant and high-yielding varieties.