MTN Ghana Foundation empowers rural female farmers with modern farming techniques

By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN & Zeenatu ABUBAKAR, Accra

In commemoration of the International Day for Rural Women, MTN Ghana Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women by partnering with Defarmercist to provide 40 rural women farmers with modern farming techniques aimed at boosting crop production.

The training programme, which unfolded in Santeor, a rural community located in the Greater Accra Region, was a testament to MTN Ghana Foundation’s dedication to supporting rural women in their pursuit of sustainable agricultural practices.

Madam Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, emphasized the pivotal role that rural women play in the agricultural sector, which is essential for ensuring food security in the country. She expressed the need to empower these women with Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) to enhance their farming methods and harness the full potential of their efforts.

She noted, “Majority of them are oblivious to applying plant nutrients among others. So, basically, we brought them to the demonstration field to equip them with the requisite knowledge.”

The 40 women participants were carefully selected from Pantang, Aboma, and Madina Social Welfare. They are expected to pass on the knowledge gained during the training to other farmers in their respective communities.

Madam Wiafe affirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting these women by following up on their progress after the training through partnerships with various organizations. The goal is to ensure that the women are successfully implementing the techniques they have acquired.

Moreover, she disclosed that the Foundation intends to replicate this training program in other regions to reach and empower even more rural women farmers throughout the country.

Agronomist Mr Alex Afari, representing Defarmercist, addressed the issue of post-harvest handling, which continues to challenge many farmers in Ghana due to outdated practices and the use of rudimentary tools. Afari advised the farmers to adhere to recommended planting distances as per the principles of good agronomic practices.

During the on-site demonstration, Mr Afari took the opportunity to educate the farmers on techniques such as dibbling and planting in rows to increase plant population and yield.

He also stressed the importance of proper fertilization and efficient planting methods for optimal crop production.

Mr Afari emphasized the significance of implementing good agronomic practices and investing in storage facilities to ensure the preservation and quality of harvested crops.

The beneficiaries of this initiative expressed their excitement and gratitude for the training.

They shared insights into what they had learned, including the correct application of fertilizer and efficient land use practices.

“We are excited about this opportunity because it has taught us to manage the small land we have as well as use the right soil and amount of water for farming,” they added.

They also made an appeal to MTN to consider providing fertilizer training for dealers to prevent any misinformation about its application.

This collaborative effort between MTN Ghana Foundation and Defarmercist represents a significant step towards empowering rural women farmers with the skills and knowledge required to enhance their agricultural productivity and improve their livelihoods.