Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) has launched an initiative to showcase new agricultural technologies in the West African sub region.

The move dubbed, "Innovative Research and Extension Advisory Coordination Hub (iREACH)" aims to assemble approved new agricultural innovations for adoption. 

A total of 21 technologies from Kumasi and Tamale were put on display at the Agricultural Technology Park at Fumesua.

The technologies are born out of innovative agricultural research for the development agenda of the CSIR-CRI.

The technologies are to impact the growth and post-harvesting of varieties of crops including beans, maize, cocoyam, cowpea and others. 

The technologies included, a seed separation machine, early maturing seeds, a temperature regulation machine and mixtures of agro-economic innovations.  

It emphasizes developing and disseminating appropriate technologies for high and sustainable food and industrial crop production

The iREACH will provide farmers, agric scientists, and interested entities the opportunity to adopt technologies relevant to their fields of crop and food production. 

Director of the CSIR-CRI, Prof. Moses Mochiah is optimistic the project would provide a better appreciation of the work of agricultural scientists. 

“We are often accused of harboring research works and not beneficial to people. The iREACH initiative aims to promote our science, and scientists by assembling and putting on display all of our research works and technological developments over the years. 

“So people would know and appreciate how far we have come with our research works and probably learn from them,” he said.

Lead for the iREACH, Prof. Emmanuel Otoo acknowledged that: “the emphasis of this is business oriented. We listen to your challenges and make suggestions to them. The youth can come and learn some of these technologies, and the businessmen can adopt these technologies and make a business out of them,” he said. 

Ashanti Regional Director of Agriculture, John Manu, added that the project will create jobs and combat poverty in the agric sector. 

“We as government attach importance to programs like this as it accelerates efforts towards the realization of modernization and transformation agenda for Africa. 

“It is expected that such an occasion would contribute to the objectives of job creation, food security, and poverty reduction if the knowledge, exposure, and lessons learned are translated into action. We also believe such a forum will help sustainable agriculture and thriving agri-business,” he added.

The initiative was in collaboration with the West and Central African Council for Research and Development (CORAF), Kansas University, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).