FARMERS at Bihinaayili, a farming community in the Savelugu-Nanton District in the Northern Region, can now store their food produce in a more cost-effective and sustainable manner using Neem tree extracts.
This new initiative was made possible through a series of research conducted by the African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI), an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), with support from some radio stations, including the Simli Radio, a community-based radio station at Dalun in the Tolon-Kumbungu District.
The research by the AFRRI and its partners was conducted in some communities such as Tali-Zonayili and Kpilo, both in the Tolon-Kumbungu District, and Bihinaayili and Takpeli in the East Gonja District.
Addressing a campaign on the use of the Neem tree extract at Bihinaayili, an Executive Committee member of Simli Radio, Mr Mohammed Issifu Salisu, observed that the plant had many uses.
According to him, research had shown that the plants could be used as insecticides, mosquito repellent and medicines in treating wounds.
Mr Salisu added that the Neem tree was abundant in northern Ghana, and so it was a more cost-effective means of storing grains to curb post-harvest losses.
He further explained that the use of the Neem tree extract for storage was better than the use of chemicals to preserve farm produce.
“The leaves of the Neem tree can be used for composting and treating of malaria, while it is also cheap and contains no poison,” Mr Salifu stressed.
Farmers who attended the campaign expressed delight about the introduction of such new initiatives.
“We hope with the application of such initiatives, we would be able to improve storage and maximise sales,” one of the farmers stated.
The farmers appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other stakeholders to assist them acquire such technologies to enhance food security in the area.
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