Nyankpala: Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology have visited the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) at Nyankpala, near Tamale, to acquaint themselves with its work. The visit aimed at exploring how the committee could support the institute to improve its operations.
According to Ghana News Agency, members of the committee were taken around a new yam technology breeding site at Nyankpala to learn about its potential, alongside a rice seed warehouse where tons of improved rice seed had been stored to support farmers during the planting season. Dr. Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI, presented on the operations, achievements, and challenges of the institute, highlighting the development and release of various crop varieties to support food security. However, Dr. Kusi noted funding challenges, exacerbated by the United States Government's recent withdrawal of support, affecting 15 ongoing research projects.
Dr. Kusi also mentioned staffing issues, with positions left vacant after retirements and departures, impacting operations. He expressed gratitude to the committee for their visit and appealed for their influence in addressing these challenges. Committee members expressed their admiration for the institute's work, noting its potential to significantly contribute to the country's food security with adequate resources.
Professor Adam Hamza, Ranking Member of the committee, acknowledged the inadequacy of the approved budget for CSIR and discussed the possibility of amending the CSIR Act for sustainable funding. He emphasized the need for better conditions to retain staff and urged the institute to publicize its achievements to attract support. Mr. John Darko, Vice Chairman of the committee, committed to advocating for increased budgetary allocation to enhance the institute's operations, noting its critical role in food security. He also mentioned the expected recruitment of 500 scientists, expressing hope that some would be assigned to CSIR-SARI to address the attrition issue. Mr. Darko assured staff of efforts to collaborate with the Ministry of Trade and Agribusiness to boost the institute's operations.