SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE FOR IMPROVED
LIVELIHOODS – 2016 AT LAKPLEKU IN THE NINGO PRAMPRAM DISTRICT OF THE GREATER
ACCRA REGION.
Amidst the Climate change effects on rainfall
pattern, chilli pepper production is a means of livelihoods support for the
people of Lakpleku. February to March are therefore months of land preparation
and nursery practices in order for them to meet rainy season which is however
not entirely reliable. Abibimman foundation
therefore saw it as an avenue to help give back to society as good practices in
farming would be the best and this is because good preparation and opportunity
amounts to success.
Abibimman Foundation in collaboration with the District
agricultural Development Unit of the Ningo Prampram District in the Greater
Accra Region of Ghana therefore organized a workshop session for chili pepper
farmers in the community of Lakpleku, located in the Ningo Prampram district. Lakpleku
is not too far from the Industrial city of Tema. The inhabitants of the
Lakpleku community are mostly farmers. The chili producers dominate the farming
population. The theme of the programme was dubbed “Good Chili Pepper Production
practices for Wealth and Health “, which saw
an attendance of more than Fifty (50) Chili pepper farmers with almost a
perfect gender balance as the women farmers matched their counterparts in
numbers in proportion.
The programme involved a facilitation and demonstrative
transfer of agricultural innovation, interactions and contributions. The
farmers were particularly grateful to the Foundation for organizing such an
event in conjunction with the Agricultural Development Unit and wished for more
of such event to be emulated over time. The farmers however lamented about the
lack of investors and government help in acquiring inputs to maximize their
yield. The main challenge they faced was the activities they would have to
engage in, once the rainy season was over. A farmer made a remark which was
quite troubling, “I very much appreciate your technology you have brought us,
yet as a peasant farmer, how would I be able to purchase some of the good
inputs you have suggested to us?” This concern of the farmer came from the
point of view that, they are willing to scale up but current situations are not
letting them.
Abibimman Foundation is therefore pleading to the general public
to look at the option of investing, yet assisting in farming for equity when it
comes to sustainable livelihoods. A well invested capsicum (pepper) farm can
yield up to 120% profit depending on the type of pepper and how passionate the
farmer is about protecting his crops. A profit margin of such magnitude may not
even be offered by some forms of investments in the banking sector. Chili
pepper apart from forming part of most Ghanaian dishes and therefore both a
spice and adjuvant has many uses including medicinal (A very large study conducted by the
British Medical Journal found some indications that humans who consume spicy
foods, especially fresh chili peppers, were less likely to die of cancer or
diabetes .
Pepper is also used in diabetic
neuropathy), Crop defense (deters elephants from feeding on crops in some parts of Africa and Asia) and industrial such as pepper spray because of the presence
of the chemical, Capsaicin which is the primary
component in the pepper spray. Red
chilies contain large amounts of vitamin C, B (B6
mostly) and small amounts of carotene.
Yellow and especially green chilies (which are essentially unripe fruit)
contain a considerably lower amount of both substances. They are very high in potassium,
magnesium,
and iron.
Abibimman Foundation in its own way to
contribute more to this society’s means of livelihood support has therefore
started a two acre chili pepper farm in the same community as a model farm that
would serve as a site for education, demonstration of innovation and mentorship
programme for some other organizations to follow.
At the end of the workshop, the grateful
farmers therefore pleaded that the media should make their needs known to
public for investors, philanthropist and other stakeholders to aid in acquiring
inputs like certified seeds, farm tools, regular extension services, tractor
services at relatively low costs and credit facilities.
Dorgbetor Isaac
Korku Dorgbetor
Projects
Coordinator (Agriculture and Biodiversity)
Abibimman
Foundation.
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