Deputy Minister presents water pump

Donkorkrom (E/R), Jan 16, GNA - Ms Susana Mensah, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, has presented a water pump with accessories valued at six million cedis to the Amankwaa Tornu Irrigation Farmers Association.

The water pump will enable the farmers to engage in dry season vegetable production.

Ms Mensah advised them to use part of the income they would realize from farming to pay back the cost of the water pump so that other farming groups could also benefit from the facility. She told them to collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture extension officers for technical advice. Mr John Tsakasu, the Afram Plains District Director of MOFA, said the pump was acquired under the Pro-poor Project of the ministry. Under the project, the ministry has acquired six water pumps for presentation to farming groups that fall within the pro-poor farmers category.

Mr Tsakasu said to promote irrigation farming in the Afram Plains the ministry has acquired 10 additional water pumps under another project for distribution to farmers.

Receiving the pump Mr Kwame Anane, the Chairman of the Amankwaa Tornu Irrigation Farmers Association, said his group was made of eight farmers who cultivate vegetables during the dry season along the Volta Lake.

Ms Mensah also inspected okro, garden eggs, watermelon, tomatoes and pepper farms belonging to the association.