Story By; Elizabeth Frimpong:
The Head of Agricultural Extension Officer in Akuapem North Municipal, Mr. Samuel Mensah has disclosed various plans and initiatives to support farmers in the district this year, 2016. He stated that, the plan to support farmers this year started in January and mentioned some of the plans as, farmers’ education thus farmers’ forum and other projects such as Rural Agricultural Finance, Hunger projects sustainability, organizing farmers into farmer groups (FBO’s) under co-operative system and provision of credit access for the farmers.
According to him, the hunger project is distinct from all other projects since community banks have been established in all the project areas and farmers are encouraged to save at the bank for continuity purposes. He further explained that, the farmers would be able to have access to loans from the community banks even if the project ends. He said this on Tuesday April 19, 2016 during Rite 90.1 FM morning ride program; ‘Feed the Future Platform.’
Mr. Mensah added that, the formation of the Agricultural Sub-Committee in the District has contributed to the Department of Agriculture in the district. He said the sub-committee has implemented certain programs that will encourage the youth to show interest in agriculture and also has been assisting the department financially. He said that, the department in collaboration with the assembly has provided a process site for the various Gari processing groups and supply of improved varieties of cassava for the farmers.
In an interview with Hon. Daniel Ayore, Chairperson for the Sub-committee of agriculture in Akuapem North Municipal on the same platform has confirmed that, the committee in collaboration with the MOFA directorate in the Municipal has put measures in place to assist the farmers in the district. He explained that, in the year 2009-2010 the assembly donated Ghs100, 000000 to agricultural department to support the farmers but most of the farmers didn’t pay back the money. However this won’t discourage the committee from assisting the farmers but rather invest into the agribusiness to help expand it.
In furtherance he said, this year they will find an alternative mode of distributing the farming inputs and loans to the farmers for easy payments. He again entreated the farmers to pay back the loans given to them by the district assembly. He stressed on the Kwamusu state land saying; the land is available for farming activities and those interested should submit their application form to the NADMO.
Source: ritefmonline
