The Upper East Regional Directorate of the Department of Agriculture has taken delivery of 28 motorbikes under the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP).

The motorbike would strengthen agricultural extension services and improve field monitoring across beneficiary districts.

The motorbikes, which have been handed over to beneficiary districts, are expected to enhance the mobility of agricultural extension officers, enabling them to reach farmers and support the implementation of food production activities under the programme.

The districts include Binduri, Bawku West, Nabdam, Talensi, Bongo, Kassena-Nankana Municipal, Builsa South, Builsa North and Irrigation Company of Upper Regions.

Mr Yakubu Mohammed Awal Meigoro, the Upper East Regional Crops Officer of the Department of Agriculture, said the FSRP had been implemented in the Region for some time now and had expanded from an initial five districts to nine.

He said each of the districts received three motorbikes.

He said the FSRP was focused on strengthening food system resilience, with key commodities in the northern zone including tomatoes, soybeans, maize and rice, adding that the motorbikes were intended primarily to support field officers including Agricultural Extension Agents and Schedule officers.

Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini, the Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, urged the beneficiary district directors and officers to ensure the proper management and maintenance of the motorbikes to prolong their lifespan.

He cautioned beneficiaries against using the motorbikes for activities unrelated to the purpose for which they had been provided.

“We want to plead with you. Let’s use it for the purpose for which they have brought them. We don’t want to hear that so-and-so motorbikes are found somewhere for a different business,” he said.

Alhaji Fuseini said the question of ownership and maintenance would be addressed in line with the arrangements governing the project, adding that beneficiaries who took good care of the motorbikes could benefit from future ownership arrangements.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Akamugri Donatus Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Issahaku, Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, said whether the motorbikes were managed as a pool or assigned to specific officers, beneficiaries had a responsibility to use them properly to ensure their longevity.

He said proper management of the assets would help build confidence among development partners and encourage further investment in agriculture.

“We have been crying that funding to agriculture is a challenge. So if we don’t put up any conduct that will invite others or motivate others to come and support us, I think we will be shooting ourselves in the foot,” he said.

The Chief Director said the motorbikes were intended to support food security activities and should therefore be made available whenever other agricultural officers required them to undertake field activities.

He urged the beneficiaries to regard the motorbikes as important assets for improving agricultural extension delivery and strengthening food production in the Region.

The FSRP is being implemented to strengthen food systems and resilience and support increased production of selected agricultural commodities in participating districts.