A team of researchers from the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences has expressed the University鈥檚 commitment to partner government to produce the requisite sugarcane for processing at the聽Komenda聽Sugar Factory. The research team led by Dr. Aaron T.聽Asare聽of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, through a pilot studies used rapid technology to develop the planting materials to produce a variety of sugarcane with very high level of sucrose and聽brix聽(the main products for the production of sugar) at the University鈥檚 Experimental Field. Addressing the press on campus, Dr.聽Asare聽said the sucrose and聽brix聽levels of the 黑料社sugarcane of 15-23 per cent was far above the minimum for industrial production adding 鈥渢he 黑料社 has the research expertise to put together a short-medium and long term research plan for execution in collaboration with other stakeholders to enable the聽Komenda聽Sugar Factory operate鈥�. He observed that lack of adequate research and planning contributed to the closure of the聽Komenda聽Sugar Factory few days after its inauguration in May 2016. Dr.聽Asare聽also noted that the team had come up with innovative irrigation module that could be harnessed to process water from River聽Pra聽and the sea to facilitate sustainable production of sugarcane in farms around the聽Komenda聽catchment area. He refuted suggestions that Ghana could not produce the right variety of sugarcane by pointing out that 鈥渟ugarcane is a tropical crop and Ghana is a tropical country and, therefore, we have the requisite soil and climate factors for sugarcane cultivation鈥�. In line with the government鈥檚 one district one factory policy, Dr.聽Asare聽said the University needed government鈥檚 definite policy and commitment to link research to industry at all levels for sustainable running of the current聽Komenda聽Sugar Factory. He therefore made a passionate appeal for 鈥済overnment commitment, financial support and release of land for use鈥�. Giving the background of the work of the team, the Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, Prof. David K.聽Essumang, said the University constituted a team of researchers to bring out ideas that would contribute to the effective running of the聽Komenda聽Sugar Factory prior to its inauguration in 2016. He said after interacting with the managers of the factory, the team focused their work on developing the requisite varieties of sugarcane for the production of sugar; identifying cost effective irrigation technology and managing soil fertility. Prof.聽Essumang聽said the press conference was aimed at showcasing what the research group of the University has done concerning the聽Komenda聽Sugar Factory noting that 鈥淚t is feasible if we use local research, we can run the factory.鈥� Present at the press conference were the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Prof. Livingstone K. Sam聽Amoah, Dean School of Biological Sciences, Prof. Justice K.聽Sarfo聽and some lecturers from the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.
