The Coordinator of the Mafu-Tamba Commercial Farmers Cooperative in Koinadugu District Lansana Marrah who also doubles as the District’s Master Farmer has complained of inadequate distribution of agricultural inputs which he says is seriously affecting their production.
The Mafu-Tamba Commercial Farmer’s cooperative last year produced 25 tons of rice and it is hoping to produce at least 45 tons of rice this year in two varieties of rice CP4 and Rock 3’ in over 158 acres of cultivated land.
The coordinator explained that the objective of the cooperative is to lift subsistence farming to the level of commercialized farming.
Lansana Marrah said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has not provided the cooperative with any input and the lack of a tractor has also impeded progress of the farm. He disclosed that they “used to hire a tractor for Le 75,000.00 per acre but most of the tractors have been damaged beyond repairs.”
He said the cooperative bought seeds at the cost of Le35, 000.00 per bushel with additional inputs from the seed bank. He also said that the cooperative usually buys 15/15 fertilizers from a Freetown based group called Holland farming at the cost of Le85, 000.00 per 25kg.
Lansana Marrah said Holland fertilizers are costly but very good as it helps to increase yield in both rice and vegetable farms. “It has been very useful to farmers in Kabala because productivity has increased and cooperative members have started to benefit from the farms.”
He further explained that most of the farmers in Kabala are not receiving Government assistance to embark on mechanized and commercialized farming, and farming methods have also not been improved upon.
Marrah also said his cooperative can now boast of a truck to transport their produce to the market and an office space for the smooth running of the cooperative activities which he described as an achievement in the area of farming.
Our major constraint in farming is the lack of storage facility, drying floor and combined harvesters to minimize post harvest losses, marketing has also been a challenge to farmers as very little is realized from the proceeds.
The cooperative has planted over 3 acres of ginger Marrah said “but our problem is the lack of market and sadly we don’t know where to export our produce, … support is what is lacking for Kabala farmers.”
The project operational area is blessed with plenty of good fertile lands, streams, inland valley swamps and natural sweet wells, and two chiefdoms have the potential to become the fresh fruit and vegetable basket of the District.
Highlighting their problems the cooperative coordinator said low market production, processing, storage, transportation and marketing strategy are the issues to be addressed.
Mafu -Tamba Commercial Farmers Cooperative he said is trying to make agriculture attractive to young people by offering free training in Basic Livestock and Crop Production, processing, storage and marketing skills.
The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Care International has been working with the cooperative to embark on mechanized farming so as to add value to the produce and to mobilize community efforts and resources to promote development at the rural level.
The assistance given to the cooperative is geared towards the enhancement of women and youths in processing, storage, and marketing.
By Saidu Bah