The Municipal Chief Executive for East Akim, Mr. Peter Asilfi has appealed for facilities from the Ministry of Agriculture and other interested individuals and corporate bodies in order to improve on rice production in the area.

He was particularly interested in the provision of storage facilities in  production areas for easy access for storage. He thus directed the  Municipal Director of Agriculture to ensure that such facilities were provided. 

Mr. Asilfi gave the directive when he got to know that best rice farmer in his Municipality was among the award winners at the District Farmers Day celebrations held at Tontro near New Tafo.   

In all, 20 farmers, groups and religious organizations were presented with awards for their performance with the overall Municipal Best Farmer award won by a 28 year old technician.   

Mr. Sampson Abayateye, who is single, went into farming after his
technical education.   

Mr. Asilfi appealed to farmers who benefit from credit facilities to pay them to enable others to also benefit.   

He urged the farmers to work closely with the staff of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to know the projects and programmes which would be rolled out by the government to take advantage of them.   

The East Akim Municipal Director of Agriculture, Mr. Phanuel Ababio-Danso said this year, farmers in the Municipality bought 1500 bags of fertilizer to enhance their yields.   

According to him, 250 farmers participated in Farmers Field School, a concept which was used to transfer new technologies in farming in the Municipality.   

He appealed to financial institutions in the Municipality to support
individuals and groups involved in food processing and preservation to help reduce post harvest looses in the Municipality.   

Mr. Ababio-Danso expressed his appreciation of the fact that the overall best Regional Farmer, in the person of Prophet Abraham Adusei of Osiem was from the Municipality.   

Nana Adusei Peasah, Tafohene, who chaired the function, assured that he and his elders were ready  to offer  land for the cultivation of rice to interested farmers to support the national rice cultivation programme.

Ghanadistricts.com/DS