August 22, 2019
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Berekum, Kofi Adjei, has distributed 2,000 grafted cashew seedlings free of charge to farmers in Berekum and its environs in the Bono Region.
Ghana cashews, images by IT
It forms part of efforts to boost the Planting for Export programme launched by the government this year.
Speaking to the beneficiaries during the distribution exercise, the MCE charged the farmers to make sure they put the seedlings to good use, since it would take only three years for the cashew to bear fruits.
He said with the launch of the Cashew Development Board by President Akufo-Addo at Wenchi, cashew farmers would no more be at the mercy of businessmen who buy the beans at the farm gate at a ridiculously cheap price.
He said apart from the free seedlings that farmers would enjoy, they would also be given technical support by agric extension officers deployed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Mr. Adjei said the NPP government was investing heavily in agriculture and, therefore, beneficiaries should make sure they took good care of their cashew farms, particularly during the dry season.
According to him, aside from cashew cultivation, farmers should take the opportunity to join the Planting for Food and Jobs flagship programme.
He announced that for the first time in the history of Ghana, plantain was being exported to neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire.
Besides, the MCE advised the youth in particular to venture into farming, as the future belongs to them.
He said instead of embarking on a perilous journey to Libya and crossing the dangerous Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe to engage in menial jobs, it would be better for them to stay back home and cultivate cashew and make money within three years without any risk.
Reporters
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