[Ghanas] Ministry of Environment, Science, Innovation and Technology has encouraged local scientists to intensify research into ways to fight the fall army worm.

[At the] Council for Scientific and Industrial Researchs (CSIR) Open Day in Kumasi [capital city of Ghanas Ashanti region], Sector Minister, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, said the Crop Research Institute (CRI) has medium and long term plans using science and genetic engineering to produce something that could fight the fall armyworm in the years to come.

He added that it will help solve the threat of the deadly pest, which has destroyed swathes of farm fields across the country, and also a threat to governments Planting for food and Jobs program.

Professor Frimpong Boateng stated that he is elated that the Minister of Agriculture has affirmed his support to the research.

He also added that the research will include seed development so that by four years time the country will be able to produce more seeds and import less.

To the research community, the president has promised to devote 1% of the GDP towards research and development for all of us, if the right structures are put in place, he said.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Environment Ministry to intensify research on how to deal with fall armyworm infestation

Read the original here:

Ghana mulling genetic engineering to combat armyworm crop damage - Genetic Literacy Project