Agric Extension Officer Lauds Importation Of 215 Tractors Into The Country
The president of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo – Addo has noted, government has imported over 600 farm machines including tractors into the country to boost his Agriculture mechanization agendum.
The mechanized farming equipment according to the president on Friday at the 35th National Farmers’ Day ceremony in Ho, would be sold at a 40% subsidy to farmer associations, private investors and some selected District Assemblies for the establishment of Agricultural Mechanization Centres (AMSEC’s) across the country.
Speaking on the revelation on Rite FM, Mr. Alex Fodjour, head of extension services at the Lower Manya Krobo MOFA said, the initiative will increase the appetite of farmers in the Agriculture sector.
In the effort of Government to mechanize agriculture, the President said, farm machinery worth $33 million has been imported from Brazil this year to support farmers.
This is made up of 215 tractors, 231 farm implements, 141 maize sheller’s, 25 multi-crop threshers, 68 planters/seed drills.
The president further noted: “we expect a substantial expansion in 2020 through the disbursement of the last tranche of a US$33 million loan from Brazil and a US$150 million facility from Eximbank of India”.
“Farmers are now becoming innovative in agriculture mechanization and so there is the need for government to bring in this initiative to help the farmers”.
He appealed to the government to sell the tractors to the Farmer Base Organizations (FBO’s) and farmers who can afford.
However, a Member of Parliamentary Select Committee on Agriculture and also Member of Parliament for Kintampo North constituency, Hon Ato Bonde has also alleged that the country do not have skilled tractor operators.
He therefore urged the government to open Agric Mechanization training centers to train people to be tractor operators.
According to him, his call is borne out of a problem in the Agric sector mechanization.
“We do not have tractor operators and so when the tractors come, they are being given to unskill or people who do not have any idea about tractor.”
He advised the state to begin manufacturing its own tractors to put an end to the act of always depending on other countries.
Source: Mavis Akosua Atteh/ritefmonline.org/Rite 90.1 FM
