Five prototype tricycles to facilitate intermediate transport of yams from farms to marketing centres have been launched at Forikrom in the Techiman district. Estimated to cost millions of cedis, the tricycles, the first of its kind in the country, were developed by Product Development Support of The Netherlands (KIEM) and Ecumenical Association for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development(ECASARD) with support from the Konrad Adenaur Foundation (KAF)
The tricycles, which will be on trial for about one year, would be mass produced for farmers and export, if they prove successful.
Launching it, Mr. Isaac Osei-Antwi, DCE for Techiman, commended ECASARD and KIEM of The Netherlands for their initiative in introducing the tricycles to the Ghanaian farmers and Techiman in particular.
Mr. Osei-Antwi intimated that with the introduction of the tricycles, the burden of farmers, especially women, who have to carry large loads of farm produce on their heads over long distances, would be reduced.
He assured farmers that under the Poverty Alleviation Programme, more funds would be allocated to those of them who form viable co-operative societies to enable them expand their farms.
The national co-ordinator of ECASARD, Dr. King David Amoah, disclosed that ECASARD is a network of some 98 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations established in 1991.
Amoah noted that the network was established in response to a felt need by NGOs that are committed to promoting sustainable agriculture and to share resources, information and expertise so as to empower rural farmers.
Mr. Bernard Y. Guri, programme officer of KAF, said the feedback of the test of the tricycles will enable the designers and engineers in Holland come out with final products.
Guri added that ECASARD and KIEM of Holland with support from KAF are looking up to the possibility of setting up a company, Rural Enterprise for Agro-Logistics, to locally manufacture tricycles at relatively cheap cost instead of importing.
Mr. Kay Kizito, Brong Ahafo Regional trade officer of the Ministry of Trade and Industries, stressed the need for linkages between ministries of Agriculture and Trade and Industry to help solve problems of farmers in the areas of agro-technology and marketing.
He called on farmers, especially yam producers, to add value to their products to enable them get good prices to boost Ghana's foreign trade.
In a welcome address, Nana Kwaw Adams, the Brong Ahafo Regional co-ordinator of ECASARD, said the Techiman district was chosen for the test of the tricycles since it is a leading producing and marketing centre of yams and other food crops in the country.
Nana Akomea Sakye, Akwamuhene of Forikrom, who presided, gave the assurance that the chiefs and people of Forikrom would make land readily available if they choose to establish the tricycle factory in the district.
