The Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development (CIKOD), has commenced construction work on two separate 500 metric tones capacity warehouses with ancillary facilities for rural farmers in the Upper West Region.
The two warehouses, which are cited at Kalsegri in the Lawra municipality and Ko in the Nandom district will also serve as processing centres for agroecological produce for over ten thousand smallholder farmers in the beneficiary districts.
The Deputy Director of CIKOD, Daniel Banuoku Faabelangne, speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony at Kalsegri said “the construction of the two facilities is part of efforts aimed at strengthening access to local markets for marketing and consumption of agroecological produce in our efforts to sensitize the spread of agroecology and create viable rural economies in the Upper West Region in particular and the rest of the country”.
Daniel Banuoku explained that ” many farmers are trapped in the web of poverty in the two districts because they are unable to get storage facilities and realistic prices for their farm produce. So we are excited that today marks another step in our journey to ensure food security and improved livelihood for our farmers”.
He said CIKOD, in collaboration with Groundswell International, with funding from the “11th hour project” has initiated a local market project to create market opportunities and to assist farmers to transition into agroecological production systems where they work with no external inputs to make their soils productive through farmer-managed natural regeneration and with the use of agroecological technologies.
He charged farmers in the beneficiary communities to take advantage of the facilities to better their lots.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Lawra, Mr. Martin Domotiere Bombaire speaking on behalf of the Upper West Regional Minister lauded CIKOD for their enormous interventions in the agric sector.
“Government is aware of the challenges that confront our farmers as far as post-harvest losses are concerned. That is why government initiated the One District One Warehouse. Though the municipality has had its share, it is not enough and that is why the intervention of CKOD is commendable”.
He disclosed that the Lawra Municipal Assembly is in the process promulgating bye-laws to prevent bush burning in the area which he decried as a bane on agricultural development.
The groundbreaking ceremony was witnessed by representatives from Groundswell International and 11th Hour project.
