Just as a good foundation is to a building in terms of withstanding disasters, so is a good start to your vegetable production very necessary for good results. Another session of GhanaVeg’s Agronomy training has started with focus on nursery raising and fertilization. These are the fundamentals of production.

In previous section of our agronomy training, GhanaVeg, in collaboration with Wageningen University, has engaged thirty (30) agronomists through a series of crop protection modules to help improve the culture of farmers.

This season, trainers are being taken through a second module- Fertilization. This module will demonstrate to trainees the best way to raise seedlings, transplant seedlings and apply fertilizers to crops. As a cutting edge section, trainees will be taken through a two-day series of both theory and practical lessons. The practical session is to ensure that trainees get a hold of the theoretical aspect of the session. Participants were also grouped to peer discuss ways of improving the culture of their farmers.

Day One

Seedling Raising

Participants were taken through the art of starting well – Seedling raising. Different methods and variety of seeds where introduced during the training to show to participants a distinctive variation in terms of advantages and disadvantages. They were also taken through how to achieve uniformity with their crops and why the need to transplant.

Presentation from a participant

In the course of the day, participants were also taught how to select good varieties for raising seedlings. The art of grafting was not left out for tomatoes and eggplant seedlings. Participants were taken through the process of grafting these two crops effectively. A video was played for participants to view the process of efficiently grafting tomatoes and eggplant seedlings.

To end the session for the day, participants were put in groups of six to discuss how they will train farmer groups to raise seedlings which are cost effective. At the end of the group discussions, each group presented to the larger group how they envisaged transferring the acquired knowledge to farmer groups.

Day Two

Fertilization and Soil Texture

The second day of the training was an exceptional one.  Participants were taken through the importance of root system and soil type. Participants understood the need to develop a strong healthy root system.

Participants were taught how to test the soil to help know the amount of nutrients present and the problem areas in the soil. This will ensure an effective use of fertilizer and other nutrients that are lacking in the soil. Participants understood that a proper soil test will help ensure the application of enough fertilizer to meet the requirement of the crops while taking advantage of nutrients present. In doing this, one must ensure that the sampling technique is correct as the result determine on the sample you take. Testing soil is a very crucial part of production.

Facilitator’s Point of View

Herman de Putter from Wageningen University is one of the facilitators for GhanaVeg’s Agronomy training.  He discloses how pleased he has been to interact with such an informed and enthusiastic participants. He believes this is a great step to ensure farmers adhere to new ways of doing business. According to him, the practical aspect of the training will ensure participants impact the right knowledge to farmers.

”My expectation is that, participants will use the acquired knowledge to enhance the culture of the Ghanaian farmer to help – reduce the challenges that the vegetable sector faces currently”, he said. He advised and encouraged participants to make the necessary effort to reach out to as much as possible farmer within their reach.

Touching on what he expects from the next badge of agronomists, Mr de Putter says he hopes that the next set of trainees will also include farmers to transfer knowledge to. These trainees should be ready to learn just as the first group as well as be well-informed. He believes that “a trainee who is ready to learn is better than one that has been called to learn”.

Stakeholders are encouraged to visit www.ghanaveg-e-learning.org to register for a try-out of our E-modules on pest and disease management and fertilization. It is free to try.