The Export Trade, Agriculture and Industrial Development Fund (EDAIF) set up by government in 2001 to provide financial support to farmers seems not to be accessible to local farmers who are deemed to be the sole beneficiaries.
According to the chairman of the Mango Farmers Association of Lower Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region, Mr. Edward Amanor , EDAIF since it initiative has not stretched it arms to local farmers in the eastern region especially mango farmers.
Speaking on the “Agric forum” on Rite FM last Saturday, he lamented, although EDAIF wished to help farmers, their criteria and mode of operations are too difficult for farmers to patronize stressing they are not flexible.
He noted some farmers still have their ripen mangoes hanging on the tress because they do not have buyers or even exporters. Although mango is a very good export crop and has a high value on the international market that fetch the country money.
Touching on agriculture financial support in general, he mourned zero support has been channeled to agriculture so far.
Fertilizer subsidy is no more available to local farmers. All these benefits are enjoyed by the big men in Accra. He said.
Source: ritefmonline.org
