A three-day technical and business management training has been held for Agro-input dealers in Techiman in the Bono East region.

The training, which was organized by the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), with support from the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), under the Africa's Smallholder inclusive Productivity and Market Access (SIMPA), was held under the theme, “Improving Advisory Services to Enhance Soya Bean and Maize Production in the Brong Ahafo Region.”

The workshop seeks to improve as well as build the capacity of Agro-input dealers in providing quality services to small holder farmers across the region.

Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mr. Joseph Edmund disclosed to Joy News that the workshop forms part of a five year project designed to improve food security and livelihoods of over 100,000 Smallholder maize and soya bean farmers in the Brong Ahafo and Northern regions.

He indicated that "Agro-input dealers serve as the first point of contact for smallholder farmers in terms of purchasing agrochemicals for their farms hence the need to train dealers in proper handling and usage of these hazardous materials."

He also called on unlicensed Agro-input dealers to register with the EPA or risk been arrested by Authorities as "the EPA is undertaking a nationwide exercise to clamp down on dealers operating without licenses and those whose licenses has expired".

Country Manager of the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) Nana-Aisha Mohammed indicated that the project is aimed at complementing government's effort in improving maize and Soya bean production through the Planting for food and jobs (PFJs) policy.

Some of the participants applauded the move adding that it would help improve yields on the farms as well as provide good Agronomic practices on maize and Soya bean production across the region.