Farmers in the North Bank Region (NBR) under the aegis of the Regional Agricultural Directorate in Kerewan, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) were recently exposed to lessons of best practices, modern techniques and efficient usage of farm machinery, during a field day on the 15-hectare groundnut field in Darsilami.

The day’s exercise was meant to acquaint farmers with these techniques with a view to enhance production. Speaking during the exercise, the regional Agric director, Dr. Saikou E. Sanyang, described the exercise as important, underscoring that the field day would avail farmers the opportunity to learn and share best practices of using modern techniques in production to promote diversification in farming.

He commended the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) for complementing the efforts of the Department of Agriculture in providing seeds to farmers on time. He added that the timely distribution of seeds has enabled farmers to start early planting.

The deputy governor of the region, Mustapha Saidy, for his part, thanked the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and WAAPP through Regional Agricultural Directorate for enhancing food production and diversification.He stressed that attaining food security calls for diversification and adoption of innovation and research.

A principal research officer at NARI, Ansumana Jarju praised farmers in NBR for their support to the Institute in promoting new innovation and technology in food production. Jarju noted that efficient modern technology in form of farm machinery would contribute in scaling up production and productivity. He assured that NARI would continue to undertake researches and innovation approaches in promoting sustainable land management, water management, food preservation and marketing of produce.

A senior research officer at NARI, Faye Manneh, and Mama Manneh of Njawara Agricultural Training Centre NATC, both echoed similar sentiments, and called on farmers to promote diversification to contribute to food availability. The duo noted that capacity development of farmers on best farm practices would boost food production.