The Agriculture Department, in collaboration with the Health Directorate in Kpeve in the South Dayi District, has organised a one-day training programme for farmer groups on post-harvest management, maternal and child health and nutrition to improve household livelihoods and wellbeing.
The programme, sponsored by the Women and Children Network Development Foundation (WCNDF), aimed at equipping farmers with knowledge on good agricultural practices while promoting the production and consumption of nutritious foods to enhance family health and income generation.
Rev Akusika, Chief Executive Officer of WCNDF, and Dr Peter Bonsi, Project Coordinator, welcomed participants and resource persons and stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the agriculture and health sectors to address challenges affecting women and children in the district.
According to them, improving agricultural productivity and nutrition outcomes remained critical to tackling malnutrition and ensuring sustainable community development.
Mr Nusianu Avedzida, South Dayi District Director of Agriculture, urged farmers to adopt improved farming methods and climate-smart agricultural practices to increase productivity and reduce losses.
“Farmers must embrace modern farming practices and work together through cooperatives and farmer groups to benefit from government and district support programmes,” he stated.
Mr Jonas Timbire Kolog, South Dayi District Health Director, noted that health and agriculture remained indispensable pillars of community development and expressed concern over maternal anaemia cases recorded in the district.
“In 2025, out of 1,914 pregnant women recorded in the district, 214 were diagnosed with anaemia. Out of 1,624 live births, cases of low birth weight were also recorded,” he disclosed.
He urged participants to prioritise proper nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood to help reduce maternal and child health complications.
Resource persons took participants through presentations on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and post-harvest management, maternal and reproductive health, child health issues in Ghana, nutritional challenges and the role of individuals and communities in addressing malnutrition.
Mr Carl Azumah educated participants on proper drying, storage and handling of farm produce to minimise post-harvest losses, while Elikplim Banini discussed antenatal care, family planning, and safe motherhood practices.
Mr Gideon Norvor, a nurse officer highlighted common childhood illnesses, immunisation and the importance of early treatment seeking, while Madam Beatrice Debe, a nutritionist encouraged the use of locally available foods and dietary diversity to prevent malnutrition.
The team emphasised the shared responsibility of individuals, communities and stakeholders in sustaining nutrition improvement efforts through community-led initiatives and behavioural change.
Participants expressed appreciation for the programme, noting that the training had deepened their understanding of the relationship between agriculture, nutrition, and health and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to improve household wellbeing.