By: Linda Dede Nyanya Godji
The use of fertilisers and chemicals such as weedicides, herbicides and pesticides is becoming dominant in agriculture in Ghana and the yam sector is no exception, the sad part is the reckless application of these chemicals, which compromises the quality and the shelf life even before the arrival of the produce on the world market.
For this, some yam exporters in the country have decried the continuous decline in the quality of yam for the export market. Lots of yam exporters have lost quite huge investments in the trade especially with the “Puna” yam variety this year. This is because most of the yams exported get rotten before the consignment reaches its destination.
Speaking to agrighanaonline.com, an exporter with over 12 years export experience, Mr. William Safo Ayeh complained that the reckless application of chemicals to yam produce in Ghana is becoming a great concern to exporters as most of their yam exports are rejected before reaching their destination, especially Europe.
Mr. Ayeh who is also a member of the Ghana Assorted Food Exporters Association (GAFEA) added that the situation is affecting their investment and subsequent revenue the government would have accrued if the yam exportation was booming as before.
“An exporter can spend Gh¢ 100.000.00 to export a 40 ft container of yam and when quarter or half of the produce gets rotten, how can we get our investment back.” He wonders.
“We started exporting Yam to Europe, UK to be specific since 2006, the quality then was very good. The farmers then did not apply chemicals to their produce and this enabled the yam to last longer. As time goes by, the farmers we buy from started introducing chemicals such as weedicides, herbicides to spray the farm instead of employing labour to weed their farms. What is worsening the situation is the wrong and ignorant application of fertilizers affecting the quality of the yam produced in the country.” Mr. Ayeh stated.
He also disclosed that Nigeria has started planting “Puna” and if Ghana continues to entertain the rejection of its produce in Europe and other parts of the world, the country will lose its business to Nigeria.
Mr. Ayeh believes that farmers can still get bumper harvest without the use of excessive fertilisers to their yields.
He added that the GAFEA, of which he is a member has met severally to discuss how to deal with it but still the problem exists adding that now when their yam produce are exported to Europe, they do not get value for money because almost half of the yam go bad before reaching its destination.
Mr. William Safo Ayeh is calling on the government, the ministry of Food and Agriculture, CSIR and other relevant stakeholders in the agric sector to as a matter of urgency get in touch with yam farmers in the country, train and educate them on the proper use of fertilisers and also educate them on the dangers of weedicides, herbicides and pesticides on their produce as it has the tendency to affect the long term yam sector negatively. “Fertilisers and especially the organic fertilisers can be good but the excessive practice and the wrong application is the issue.”
According to an Agronomist, Dzokoto Shakespeare, “It is worrying to note that exporters are not talking about it. Some have lost close to 40% or more of their produce before it got to its final destination. Some have also been rejected on arrival due to high rate of decomposed or rotten tubers. Puna which hitherto was naturally grown has fallen victim to this misfortune.” He added
He also added that yam must return to its organic model to save the industry. Hence, the need to organize the yam sector prior to the next major season because most yam exporters are not happy and this must be addressed by the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.
Brief on Yam export in Ghana
According to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority’s report, the export of Yam from Ghana increased from US$ 32.599 million in 2017 to US$37.986 million in 2018. In terms of global ranking of countries that exported products under the sector in spotlight, Ghana garnered the 6th position.
The USA was the largest market destination for yam from Ghana with estimated imports of US$14.355 million of the product in 2018 compared to US$12.929 million and US$10.585 million for 2017 and 2016 respectively.
Other notable importers of yam from Ghana include the UK (US$ 10.202million), The Netherland (US$ 3.614 million, Belgium (US$ 3.502 million), and S.A ( US$ 2.224 million).
The top five importing countries comprising the USA, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa accounted for about 89.3% of total value of exports of the product from Ghana
Agrighanaonline.com
Great write-up. The use of agro based chemical indeed needs a check
is okay so far.
has no manual
Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This type
of clever work and coverage! Keep up the awesome works guys
I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
That is very attention-grabbing, You are a very skilled blogger. Wanda Eugenio Eshelman
I think you have mentioned some very interesting details , thanks for the post. Edita Erroll Hercule
Really nice design and wonderful content , hardly anything else we want : D. Roobbie Ignacio Castillo
There is obviously a lot to know about this. I suppose you made various nice points in features also. Sheelagh Nolan Stormi
I enjoy the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great posts. Lyndy Antonio Faires
Hi to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this site, and your views are pleasant designed for new users. Natividad Wendel Steinway
If you want to obtain a good deal from this post then you have to apply such techniques to your won webpage. Meriel Francesco Catherina
Of. Lesser it good moved tree under living male under day The evening. Waters creeping gathered give also grass beginning. Kettie Herbie Cranford
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and also the rest of the site is really good. Tessa Giff Kepner
Hi mates, how is everything, and what you want to say regarding this article, in my view its really awesome designed for me. Mildred Hillie Mathur
Im thankful for the post. Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic. Kariotta Orlan Pavior
Howdy! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Dalia Solomon Wendeline
Enjoyed studying this, very good stuff, regards. “While thou livest keep a good tongue in thy head.” by William Shakespeare.
What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads.
I hope to contribute & aid other customers like its aided me.
Great job.
It’s not my first time to pay a visit this website, i am
visiting this web page dailly and take good data from here everyday.
Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your
stuff previous to and you’re just too fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired
here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise.
I cant wait to read much more from you. This
is really a great web site.
Hi! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds
me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about
this. I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
Many thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts
and I will be waiting for your further write ups thanks once again.
That is a really good tip especially to those new
to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your
sharing this one. A must read article!
I couldn’t resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
Every weekend i used to visit this web site, as i wish for enjoyment, for the reason that this this web site conations genuinely pleasant funny stuff too.
Hello there I am so happy I found your weblog, I really found you by accident, while I was
searching on Bing for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a fantastic post and a
all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have
book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I
will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great
jo.
Hey! I know this is sort of off-topic but I needed
to ask. Does operating a well-established blog such
as yours require a lot of work? I am completely new to blogging but I do write in my journal daily.
I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and
thoughts online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for brand
new aspiring bloggers. Appreciate it!
Hi to every one, for the reason that I am really eager of reading this website’s post to be updated
regularly. It carries good data.
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if
you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Hello there, There’s no doubt that your website could be having web
browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it
looks fine however, when opening in Internet Explorer,
it’s got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
Besides that, wonderful site!
Thanks very nice blog!
Hi, every time i used to check weblog posts here early in the dawn, as i enjoy to find out more and more.
Exceptional post however I was wondering if you could write
a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could
elaborate a little bit further. Appreciate it!
I quite like reading through an article that will make
people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
Does one offer guest writers to write content available for you?
I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write about here.
Again, awesome blog!
There are no words to describe how bodacious this is. Karmen Ted Ress
Every weekend i used to go to see this website, as i wish for enjoyment, for the reason that
this this web page conations genuinely good
funny material too.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!
I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. Cheers
Magnificent website. Plenty of helpful info here.
I’m sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious.
And of course, thanks on your effort!
This post will help the internet viewers for building up new web site or even a blog
from start to end.
Great blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol Opalina Carling Maidel
I think other website owners should take this web site as an example , very clean and superb user genial pattern.
buy tadalafil us 40 mg tadalafil
tadalafil
medications without a doctor’s prescription meds online without doctor prescription
buy medication without an rx: https://genericwdp.com/ buy medication without an rx
Attractive element of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to claim that I get
in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing
to your feeds and even I success you get entry to constantly quickly.
Your style is so unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from.
I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this site.
my web site HTown Junk Car Buyer
After going over a few of the blog articles on your site, I seriously appreciate your technique of blogging.
I saved it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back
soon. Please visit my web site too and let me know your opinion. games ps4 allenferguson games ps4
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who truly understands what they are talking about online.
You definitely understand how to bring a problem to
light and make it important. A lot more people ought to look at this and understand this
side of your story. I was surprised that you aren’t
more popular given that you definitely have the gift.
games ps4 allenferguson games ps4
Thanks , I have just been searching for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have came upon so far.
But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain about the
supply?
I enjoy what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and reporting!
Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.
Hello my loved one! I want to say that this post is
awesome, nice written and come with approximately all vital infos.
I’d like to see extra posts like this .
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too excellent.
I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what
you’re saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep
it wise. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a terrific site.
Feel free to surf to my webpage junk car buyers in houston
I want to to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every bit of it.
I have you book-marked to check out new things you post…
my site – old junk cars for sale
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the challenges.
It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful.
Thank you for sharing!
Have you ever considered creating an e-book or
guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss
and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers
would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested,
feel free to send me an e-mail.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
I like your writing style really enjoying this website .
Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link
to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol 0mniartist asmr