Vice-Chancellor of the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), Prof Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, has stressed the importance of enhancing post-harvest processing for legumes and cereals as a means to boost their value in foreign markets.
Speaking during a recent interview on the “PM Express: Personality Profile” show Prof. Afoakwa voiced his concerns over challenges affecting the quality of Ghana’s maize exports, particularly mold growth.
The professor, who is also an expert in Food Science and Technology, explained the predicament faced by local farmers who depend on rainfall for their agricultural activities.
Given the reliance on rain-fed farming, the timing and style of crop cultivation are heavily influenced by the rainy season, which subsequently affects the post-harvest stages.
[embedded content]Maize, one of Ghana’s key agricultural products sent to the international market, faces significant issues during post-harvest handling due to the prevailing conditions.
Prof. Afoakwa explained the process: “Maize is produced on a farm, and it’s supposed to be harvested, dried, and kept. But what happens is that because we largely depend on rain and lack systems that would harvest this maize early and dry them mechanically.”
“We allow the maize when they are fully matured, to still continue to sit on the farm to dry and then they are harvested. During the period of full maturity and drying, rain continues to come in,” he said on Friday, October 20, 2023.
The consequences of this practice are twofold: fungal infestation and mold growth in the crops.
This mold infestation poses a major challenge to the country’s food production system, primarily for cereals and legumes. To address this issue effectively, it is crucial to adjust the current harvesting and drying methods.
For him, improving post-harvest processing, alongside introducing modern harvesting and drying methods, can elevate the quality of Ghana’s agricultural exports, especially maize and legumes.
“So the challenge will not stop until we have systems in place to ensure that we are able to harvest these products when they’re fully matured, send them to drying systems for them to be dried and then kept. In this way, we’re going to curtail the mold growth as a challenge.”
Such improvements are essential to maintaining the value of these products in foreign markets, promoting food security, and supporting local farmers.
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