By Albert Futukpor
Nyankpala (N/R), Jan 17, GNA – 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 was also to find out how the committee could support the institute to improve its operations
Members of the committee were taken round a new yam technology breeding site at Nyankpala to learn about its potential, and a rice seed warehouse, also at Nyankpala, where tons of improved rice seed had been kept to support farmers during the planting season.
Dr Francis Kusi, Director, CSIR-SARI, who made a presentation on the operations, achievements and challenges of the Institute during the Committee’s visit, said over the years, the CSIR-SARI had developed and released various crop varieties including rice, maize, soybeans, yam, groundnut to support the country’s quest for food security.
He, however, said the Institute faced funding challenges and relied on donors to support its research activities.
He said the United States Government’s recent withdrawal of funding support for organisations had affected 15 research projects being worked on by the Institute.
Dr Kusi said some staff members, who had left the Institute or retired over the years, had not been replaced, which was also affecting its operations.
He thanked Members of the Committee for the visit and appealed to them to use their influence to help address the challenges of the Institute.
Members of the committee were impressed with the Institute’s work as some of them said with the right resources; it could contribute significantly towards ensuring food security in the country.
Professor Adam Hamza, Ranking Member, Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, acknowledged that the budget approved for the CSIR for this year was woefully inadequate.
Professor Hamza, who is also Member of Parliament for Kumbungu Constituency, said he had held discussions with the Management of CSIR, adding the Committee would consider amending the CSIR Act to include a sustainable source of funding to help improve its operations.
He touched on the high attrition rate at the Institute and said there was a need for improved conditions of service to attract and or retain staff to support its operations.
He urged the Institute to continue to tell its story, especially about the improved technologies it had developed to help attract support and funding for its work.
Mr John Darko, Vice Chairman, Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology, said the Committee would continue to press the government to increase budgetary allocation to the Institute to boost its operations.
Mr Darko, who is also Member of Parliament for Suame Constituency, said the operations of the Institute were critical for improved food security situation in the country, hence need to increase funding for it.
He said the government was expected to recruit 500 scientists this year and expressed hope that some of them would be posted to the Institute to help address the staff attrition rate.
He assured the staff of liaising with the Minister for Trade and Agribusiness to see how the Ministry could work with the Institute to boost its operations.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Benjamin Mensah