Farmers urged to use traditional methods to suppress striga

Farmers in the Upper East Region have been encouraged to adopt simple traditional practices, including the use of groundnut chaff and adequate soil cover, to suppress the growth and spread of Striga, commonly known as witchweed.

The practices were highlighted during a field visit to a Striga-infested farm at Gambibgo in the Bolgatanga East District, where participants of a one-day media sensitization workshop on Striga control were taken through practical measures farmers can use to manage the parasitic weed.

Agricultural experts explained that spreading groundnut chaff over the soil can help reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the ground, creating less favourable conditions for Striga seeds to germinate.

Maintaining a good crop population and adequate soil cover was also identified ask an effective way of limiting sunlight penetration into the soil and helping to suppress Striga germination.

The workshop was organized by the Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR), in partnership with the Upper East Regional Department of Agriculture and the Upper East Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association, to equip media practitioners with knowledge to support public education on Striga control.

Striga is particularly harmful to cereal crops, including sorghum, millet and maize, while some varieties can also affect rice and cowpea. Its presence therefore poses a threat to crops that are important to food production and food security in the region.

Participants were informed that Striga seeds can remain dormant in the soil for between two and five years, waiting for favourable conditions and the presence of a suitable host crop before germinating.

Once conditions are favourable, the weed emerges and attaches itself to the root system of the host plant, where it draws water and nutrients needed by the crop.

Much of the damage occurs underground before Striga becomes visible above the soil. The parasitic weed weakens the host crop, affecting its growth and potentially causing significant reductions in yields.

In cases of severe infestation, farmers could harvest very little despite the time, labour and resources invested in their farms.

Farmers were therefore encouraged to combine traditional practices with other recommended control measures, including early planting, crop rotation, improvement of soil fertility, the use of certified Striga-tolerant or resistant varieties and the application of appropriate fertilizer at the right time.

They were also advised to regularly scout their fields and uproot Striga as soon as it is detected, ensuring that the plants are destroyed before flowering and producing seeds that could increase the amount of Striga stored in the soil for subsequent farming seasons.

Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama

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