With the training programmes the MOFA has carried out several training programmes representing 28% of the target farmers on provision of inputs. About 25% to the targeted farmers were supplied with improved seedlings, 4 out of 50 were supplied with pumping machines and 5 with agro-processing equipments.

On the issue of credit/loan facilities, a total of 7 farmer groups and 440 individual farmers have benefited from credit facilities to undertake various farming activities such as maize production, grasscutter, snail rearing, and bee keeping and agro-processing. This represents over 100% implementation of the planned target as far as loans and credit schemes were concern.

A number of programmes were also implemented outside the plan which have gone a long way to boost agriculture production in the district.

Inland valley rice development programs (IVRDP) sponsored by AFB has so far supported 52 farmers to engage in rice production.
This has increase rice production in the district and with the introduction of the school feeding programme, the District Assembly in collaboration with MOFA has put plans in place to purchase the local rice creating market avenues for local rice farmers.

Planned activities for this sector were; to organize and train farmer groups and supplied them with improved seedlings and equipments such as pumping machines provide them with credit facilities.

Two (2) other irrigation projects at Gyadam sponsored by Plant Pool and the NERICA rice project sponsored by FAO/Japan government are yet to take off to increase rice production in the district.

Under the livestock sector, there is an ongoing sheep rearing programme (TELEFOOD SHEEP PROJECT) Sponsored by FAO at Akim Swedru. So far an amount of $5,300 has been spent to provide inputs for the youth of Akim Swedru thereby generating employment for the youth. This is hoped to be replicated in the near future.

Other programmes such as Food and Agriculture Budgetary Support Programme (FABS) sponsored by the Canadian Government through the two rural banks (Bosome and South Birim Rural Banks) in the district have benefited 3 groups and 15 individual farmers.

The Hi-tech cocoa Programme and mass cocoa spraying programmes have also gone a long way to improve cocoa production in the district.

Most of these programmes mentioned above were national programmes which the district did not for see during the planning period but these implementation has gone a long to support the implementation of the Assembly’s programmes and beyond.

Small Scale Industries

Among activities planned to enhanced small scale industrial activities in the district were group formation, training programmes, organizing industrial tours, exhibitions and encouraging industrialist to participate in district, regional and national exhibitions.

Data from NBSSI, Department of cooperatives, Community development indicate that, several groups/cooperatives involving over 200 members have been formed and series of training programmes organized. However only a handful of them have benefited from credit/loan scheme available in the district under the various    programmes such as SIF, VIP, and NBSSI etc.

Most of these groups/cooperatives find it difficult to go in for bank loans which attract high interest rate and therefore efforts must be made to ensure that subsequent credit schemes target the already established small scale industries in the district.