Para rubber farmers in the country have vented out their regret and frustrations regarding their profession.
Mr. Matthew Mensah, a Para rubber and maize farmer in the western region in an interview revealed that, in the year 2015, they faced many difficulties adding that what compounded their problems was that Para-rubber takes about seven years to mature unlike other crops.
The banks according to Mr. Mensah also cite the fact that it takes a long time to recover their investments, to refuse them loans while lamenting that they don’t get any help from the Government.
He said Para-rubber production is very important because many products are from it Including lorry tyres, aeroplane tyres, plastic bowls, etc. Moreover, the plant does not need too much sunlight to grow but rather enough rainfall which he said is very good for its development.
He later appealed to the Government and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, (MOFA) to support them this year since he and his colleagues really need help from them.
Another issue confronting these farmers is the poor patronage their products receive from the local populace adding that they are rather patronized by foreigners from countries such as Malaysia, France and the Americas.
Source: ritefmonline.org
