How a new bio-pesticide made from neem seeds is enhancing yields for farmers in the Upper West Region

To promote the use of an ecologically and entirely safe bio-pesticide for effective pest control and long-term agricultural sustainability, the “Tibourataa” Women Group, with support from the Upper West Regional Agricultural Department and Market-Oriented Agriculture Programme in North Western Ghana (MOAP-NW), has produced the region’s first bio-pesticides made from neem seeds.

Known as Neem Crop Protector, these bio-pesticides are manufactured in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region at the Neem Seed Processing Factory, certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The major products being produced are; Neem Seed Oil, Neem Cake Powder, and Neem Mulch.

With the facility operating a processing machine with an installed neem oil expelling capacity of 60 litres per day, production of Neem Oil right from its start-up in October 2021, increased from 7,000 litres by 31st March 2023 to 20,000 litres by the end of May this year.

Similarly, the production of Neem Cake Powder and Neem Seed Husk has risen from 16.4 metric tons (5 MT of neem powder and 11.4 MT of neem seed husk) to 56.4 metric tons in 2024 (17 MT of neem powder and 39.4 MT of neem seed husk).

The factory has created additional livelihoods and income for almost 600 smallholder women farmers through the collection and sale of raw materials (neem seeds) for processing.

Over the past year, from March, 2023 to the end of February, 2024, the Tibourataa group sourced neem seeds from 580 smallholder women farmers, by buying around 60 metric tons, annually valued at over GHC120,000.

Beneficiary farmers who spoke to TV3 expressed their delight over the innovated product which they indicated was contributing to improving their farm yields thereby having a positive impact on their families.

Abdulai Ayishetu, a rural woman farmer from Samua community is one of such farmers. She said because the bio-pesticides are organically made, the products are harmless to the farmer.

Adding that, they also acknowledge the cost effectiveness of the new bio-pesticides as compared to others on the open market.

This was made known during an engagement with the farmers at Suke, a farming Community in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region as part of effort to guage the success of the product from them in what is known as Neem Efficacy Trial.

This was to ensure farmers adopt and use the products according to the prescribed procedure. The processed neem seed products (neem seed oil and cake) usage was demonstrated to farmers for increased productivity.

Also, through the Market Oriented Agriculture Programme (MOAP-NW) Annual Inputs Fora, over 15,000 farmers have access to Agro-inputs and professional agricultural advice to ensure quality production and enhance food security.

In most rural areas in the North Western part of Ghana, farming is considered a major source of income and livelihood.

Access to agricultural inputs and to access advisory services from agricultural experts and trained Agro-Inputs dealers are highly recommended to farmers, for an increase in quality production to boost income.

As inputs have become more expensive, affecting farmers’ income and productivity, so too has advice on the correct and efficient use of inputs become even more important.

To curb this challenge, advisory services and Agro-inputs are brought to the doorsteps of farmers to complement every budget.

Story By Ibrahim A. Wangara||3news.com||Ghana ||

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