Ghana’s
horticulture sub-sector should be boosted with the proposed establishment of
the Horticulture Research Institute under the Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR).
Horticulture
is a branch of agriculture concerned with the cultivation of fruits,
vegetables, flowers, and ornamentals such as plants used for landscaping.
Pest
infestation in Ghana's fresh fruits and vegetables is among challenges of
horticulturists in accessing international markets for produce such as pineapples,
mangoes, tomatoes melons, egg plants, cassava and sweet potato leaves.
Dr.
Abdulai Baba Salifu, Director-General of the CSIR, says the proposed institute is
to address challenges in the underserved area of horticulture.
“The
horticulture sector in Ghana has a greater potential to fetch us foreign
exchange but the bottom-line is that the research input is a little bit low”,
he observed. “If we have a research institute which is geared towards
addressing challenges in the sector, the attention will be brought to bear to
ensure the horticulture industry grow from strength to strength and keep people
in jobs”.
CSIR
is the largest scientific research organization in Ghana, operating under the
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The
Council’s 13 research institutes are spread nationwide, with mandates covering
specialized areas in agriculture and agro-processing, industry, environment,
building and road construction, fisheries, forestry, water resources, the
social sciences and some aspects of health.
The
proposal for CSIR’s 14th institution has been approved by the Board and
expected to be presented to sector minister for cabinet consideration.
Dr.
Salifu indicated the new Institute is likely to be situated in the Brong Ahafo
region, which is the only region where the CSIR has yet to establish an institute.
The
activity of horticulture also needs to be undertaken in a transition zone where
the savanna and forest areas overlap, he noted.
Dr.
Salifu would not give timelines as to how soon the project will take off but
noted the necessary documentation will be presented to the sector Minister for government’s
approval.
Meanwhile,
the CSIR Director-General is seeking a review of the core science textbooks for
students in second cycle institutions, to reflect modern innovations in science
and technology.
The
CSIR currently has about 500 Research Scientists with varied specialized
disciplines and expertise, who all play significant roles in contributing to
Ghana’s economic growth and development.
Story
by Kofi Adu Domfeh
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