Lecturers and postgraduate students visit farmers

Lecturers and postgraduate students in the DAIRYCHAIN programme Ghana have visited and interacted with some farmers in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Farms visited included the Abea Cattle farm, Zare Farms, Embik Farms.

The delegation was led by the Project Co-ordinator Dr. S.Y. Annor and Mr. F.R.K. Bonsu. They were accompained by three postgraduate Master of Philosophy students undertaking their research within the project in Department of Animal Science Education.

The three, Mr. Ismail Coffie, Mr. Azitariga Josbert A. and Mr. Abubakari Ganiyu A., research titles were , “Phenotypic Characterization of Dual Purpose Cattle”, “Economic Analysis of Dairy Production” and “Health Management and Milk Quality of Lactating Cows”, respectively. During the visit, a good number of farmers expressed their enthusiasm and commitment towards the project to the extent that at the time of the visit, some farmers had already bought materials for the construction of zero-grazing units for the dairy cattle. However, the main challenge faced by the farms visited was pasture establishment. Farmers indicated preparedness and reliance on the expertise of the lecturers in establishing the needed pasture for the zero-grazing unit to ensure all year round feeding of animals. The farmers also expressed the desire to acquire dairy cows or their crosses.