The Department of Agriculture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is hosting the 1st  International Training of Trainers Workshop for experts in Organic Agriculture, under the theme: “Organic Agriculture: Ensuring Food Safety and Sustainable Agriculture for the Future” at the International Centre for Innovative Learning.

The workshop which is a partnership between KNUST; University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria; Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin; University of Cape Coast; Njala University, Sierra Leone and Coventry University, UK is aimed  at increasing the level of expertise in all aspects of organic agriculture in West Africa.

In his keynote address, Professor W.O. Ellis, the Chairman for the opening ceremony and Vice-Chancellor of KNUST said the workshop was happening at the most opportune time when the average food consumer was clamouring for high quality food produced from sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. He stressed that organic agriculture satisfied the demand for the production of food devoid of chemicals and toxic compounds and added that the theme for the workshop was appropriate since organic agriculture helped to sustain the health of the soils, the ecosystem and floral biodiversity.

Professor Ellis reiterated KNUST’s support for innovative technologies that promoted the socio-economic well-being of the people of Ghana. He stated that the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources have been pioneers in the training of human resources who have contributed to the management of the nation’s natural resources. He was hopeful that all participants would go back to their countries and institutions and contribute their quota to make organic agriculture an essential part of the war against hunger and malnutrition in West Africa.

Professor R. Akromah, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture said the Faculty had started a Sub-regional programme for training students taking their PhD in organic agriculture. He was optimistic that the workshop would be successful and pledged the Faculty’s support towards promoting organic agriculture.

Organic Agriculture has become a major international phenomenon in the last 15 to 20 years offering sustainable solutions to many environmental and food security problems in West Africa. The Workshop is scheduled to end on the 15th of August 2012.