ORIENTATION OF AG. LEVENTIS FOUNDATION TRAINING REPORT 2022.

                                                                 A BRIEF REPORT.

The Orientation program for the newly admitted undergraduate students of AG. Leventis training foundation programme was organised on the 21^st February, 2022. Student and their Head of research Centers were present and the Dean of the School of Agriculture, University of Ghana was formally welcomed and introduced to them the culture and the purpose of their outstanding admissions. The Orientation began with a brief inaugural ceremony at Livestock and Poultry Research Centre (LIPREC) conference room. The dignitaries present on the occasion were Prof. Irene S. Egyir (The Dean of School of Agriculture), Prof. Macarius Yangyuoru (Head of Soil and irrigation research Centre (SIREC)), Dr. Leonard Kofi Adjorlolo (Head of Livestock Production Research Centre) and Dr. Francis Collins Brentu (Head of Forest and Horticulture research centre).

The Dean, School Of Agriculture, Prof. Irene. S. Egyir gave the opening remarks and welcomed all undergraduate from various regions in Ghana. Student introduced themselves by mentioning their names and the area of their expertise.

The program started with an ice- breaker session with the Heads of Centres giving brief presentations on the trainings and teachings they impact into their trainees for the period of their trainings and schooling. Prof. Macarius Yangyuoru, head of SIREC gave a fleeting demonstration on how the centre undertakes research into the cultivation of fruits such as mango, sugar cane, maize, soybean, cowpea and vegetables and engages in beef cattle and sheep rearing, semi-commercial scale rice cultivation and cage fish aqua culture to generate additional income.

Dr. Leonard Kofi Adjorlolo, who is the Livestock and Poultry Research Centre (LIPREC) also, explained how the research enhances on sustainable and profitable production of livestock and poultry in Ghana.  He added that, its vision is to be a Centre of excellence for research and training of students, agricultural professionals and farmers to solve the problems of livestock and poultry production in Ghana. He emphasized that on the centre’s mission, which is to conduct research into livestock and poultry for the advancement of Ghana’s agriculture and to offer practical training to students, agricultural professionals and farmers for cost-effective and sustainable livestock production.

The head of FOHCREC, Dr. Francis Collins Brentu also contributed to the presentation by giving detailed information about the research centre in Kade. He stated that, it covers a total land area of 1090 hectares in Kade in the Eastern Region of Ghana and the Centre conducts research on the production, multiplication, protection and marketing of forest and horticultural crops. These crops include, plantain, cocoyam, citrus, rubber, avocado, cocoa, mango, cola, oil palm, rambutan, root and tuber crops.

During the presentation picture taking section also commenced and after the demonstrations were elucidated by the Heads of the research centres. The students were made to ask questions. Some of these questions posed by the students were; what do we do to acquire quality eggs for marketing? Is it advisable to ingest meat of a dead cow?

For the first question, it was made clear that, quality eggs can be acquired by delivering quality feed and delaying of chickens into maturity. The second question was return by the Head of LIPREC that is not advisable to ingest a meat of a dead animal especially when the cause of the dead is not yet diagnosed.   

The trainees were advised to take the training seriously, and build themselves and their career life. The four H՚s was also emphasised by the Dean of the School of Agriculture, which stands for, the Head, Hand, Heart and Health. 

The program ended with a closing prayer.