The World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) has launched the Donkey-Chart technology initiative in five districts of the Upper East Region.
to reduce post-harvest losses among women smallholder farmers.
The beneficiary districts are; Bawku, Binduri, Tempane, Bawku West and Bongo.
Under the project, twenty women lead farmers from ten farmer groups in ten communities have been given 60 donkeys and 20 four-wheel carts for easy transportation of farm produce to their homes and to the market for sale.
In Ghana post-harvest losses of food produce accounts for more than 30%, the situation is more serious with women farmers who have to carry their farm produce on their head over long distance to either their homes or the market.
But Speaking at the launch of the project funded by Global Affairs Canada in Binduri, World Food Programme, Country Director, Rukia Yacoub was optimistic the initiative, will lessen the drudgery of women farmers and address post-harvest losses.
“The project is expected to benefit over 1,500 women and men. As a labour-saving transportation solution, the donkey-carts will enable farmers to cart their produce to and from farms, homes, market places and other storage or sales points, in a timely manner.
The fecal matter will serve as manure that will increase the quantity and quality of crops cultivated in the communities to improve the livelihoods of households.”
As part of the project sustainability and expansion, Mrs. Yacoub said, other women groups will be given fouls when the female donkeys’ litter.
Project Director of Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Dr. Francis Kusi commended World food program for adopting the project idea as an alternative to minimize post-harvest losses in vulnerable communities.
“SARI is grateful to WFP for accepting the project idea of support to resource poor women farmers with donkey-chrt as an alternative and efficient means of transport to help minimize post-harvest losses and access to market.”
Some beneficiary women told Citi News, the intervention is a sigh of relief.
Rebecca Awelinga said, “It was always hard to transport our farm produce from the farms to either our homes or market places but with the donkey cart support, it will benefit more women farmers especially during the harvesting period”.
“The support will help us carry our farm produce with ease to our homes and market points and will reduce the losses we encounter due to lack of transportation means.” Assibi Nbaagos stated.