In the Sissala area of Ghana, numerous farmers are expressing worry and uncertainty due to the shortage of maize seeds for planting and the unpredictability of rainfall.
The situation came to light when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited selected agro input shops in Tumu, Gwollu, and Welembelle to investigate reports of a scarcity of certain hybrid seeds demanded by maize farmers.
Farmers in the region have traditionally relied on popular maize seed varieties such as ‘Pioneer’, ‘Lake’, ‘Pan 53’, ‘Kabamanoj’, and ‘LG 336’ for their excellent yields and resilience to drought. However, these preferred seeds are currently out of stock, leaving farmers in a predicament.
Asmiru Kwesi, a farmer interviewed by GNA, expressed his desire for Pioneer seed but noted its unavailability. He mentioned that if he does not find the desired seed in the next few days, he would be compelled to settle for whatever alternative is available.
Representatives from LakeSeedd, a prominent agro shop, assured farmers that a shipment of 1600 bags of the 50kg Lake seed was expected to arrive in the Sissala area soon.
However, the shortage of Pioneer and Lake seed products in Tumu, Gwollu, Welembelle, and Funsi is causing concern as thousands of acres of maize fields are anticipated to be cultivated in the region this farming season.
Mr. Isaac K. Razak, the Municipal Agriculture Extension Officer, acknowledged the absence of Pioneer, Lake, and LG 336 seeds and emphasized the availability of alternative seeds such as ‘Seedco’, ‘Kabamanoj’, and ‘Mastrop’ produced by the Savannah Agriculture Research Institute of the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI).
He encouraged farmers to consider these alternatives as they can deliver comparable yields.
Efforts to reach Pioneer representatives were unsuccessful, but dealers of their products assured farmers that they were diligently working to acquire the required seed.
The shortage of preferred maize seed varieties and the uncertainty of rainfall in the Sissala area pose significant challenges for farmers. The community is eagerly awaiting the availability of adequate seed supplies to ensure successful maize cultivation in the region. Stay updated with the latest developments as farmers navigate these agricultural obstacles.
