Government releases 500 million cedis to enhance Agriculture in SAEMA

Apremdo (W/R) Dec. 1 -GNA-The government has released 500 million cedis to enhance food production in the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Area (SAEMA) as part of the Youth in Agriculture Programme. Mr. Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) said so far 425 persons who have registered for the programme are likely to benefit after the inspection of their land and other proposed projects.

He made this known at the 18th Metropolitan best farmers awards day at Apremdo near Takoradi. It was on the theme: "The Youth Employment Programme: An Avenue for sustaining Agricultural Development". The MCE said the youth employment programme had so far registered 3,287 for all the ten modules with Auxiliary health nurses leading with 949, while the rural education volunteers

and youth in agriculture recorded 654 and 425 respectively. Mr. Nkrumah said already the assembly had appointed 26 persons in the area of sanitation and waste management while another 70 were ngaged in education.

The MCE said those who opted for the agric programme would receive support in the Inland Valleys Rice Development Project, (IVRDP) which will begin next year.

He assured the youth that the drudgery associated with rice production during land development and preparation would be absorbed by the project.

Mr. Nkrumah said the IVRDP would involve communities such as Kobina Anokrom, Ohiamadwen, Aboso, Anto, Old Daboase Junction, Badukrom and Antseambua communities and advised the youths in that area to participate in the project.

He said two cold stores would soon be built for the Shama and new Takoradi Communities to boost the storage of fresh fish during the bumper harvest.

Mr. Charles Adams, Metropolitan Director of Agriculture said the Metropolis recorded persistent improvements in the production of crops between 2001 and 2005, but noted that cocoyam had not seen any growth. He therefore advised farmers to develop interest in the cultivation of cocoyam to supplement other root and tubers. Mr. Adams commended the various farmers for working in close collaboration with the agricultural extension officers. Opanyin James Kojo Noah of Assakai emerged the overall best farmer in the metropolis. He was presented with a corn mill machine, full piece of wax print, cutlasses, Wellington boots and other agricultural products worth 10 million cedis. Twenty other farmers were presented with various farm inputs and certificates, among others. 01 Dec. 06