The Department of Agriculture in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly in the Easter n Region is crying for help. Rite Fm in an interview with the Acting Director for the department, Mr. Garzaley on the (MAASI) project said that even though Agriculture has been the backbone of the country, authorities have long neglected it.
Mr. Felix Emmanuel Amoah an extension officer for the Agricultural Department said, his department was putting in its maximum efforts to improve upon its delivery in the district. However, this is deprived of the necessary funding and resources.
Speaking to the budget officer of the Agricultural department, Mr. Samuel Lasei, he said budgets are already under preparation to be given to the assembly on time, even though there are committees who supervise such budgets from the sub-sector before coming out with the developmental plan. Even under these circumstances, the district assembly stills fail to provide the necessary funds for the agricultural sector.
He noted that the only way for the sector to improve upon its delivery is by lobbying in order to acquire funds for their projects. He also said funds are only made available during Farmers’ Day celebrations. Even these, he said come very late.
Continuing, Mr. Felix Emmanuel Amoah noted that, the assembly can provide the agricultural sector with the taxes collected from the farmers and market tolls instead of the usual complaints about the non-availability of funds. He is therefore pleading with the assembly to make sure that their budget statement is attended to.
He concluded by saying, the agricultural department needs funds in order to enable them carry out their duties, and therefore called on the assembly to put in their maximum effort.
Source: ritefmonline.org
