Minister chastises estate developers for land encroachment

Mr Fifi Kwetey, Minister of Food and Agriculture, has expressed worry about the spate of unwarranted encroachment by real estate developers in Adeiso in the Eastern Region, to the detriment of agricultural activities.

He mentioned KAS Estate Limited and Conrad’s Limited as estate developers encroaching on a part of Bomarts Farms Limited land, and described the act as a mindless effort without recourse to agricultural venture.

The Minister said these encroachments destroyed the lands, thereby affecting the production of farming, due to parochial interest of some individuals and groups.

Mr Kwetey expressed these concerns when he toured Bomarts Farms Limited, dealers in exports of dry Mango and pineapple and HPW Fresh and Dry Limited, also dealers in export of coconut, mango and pineapple in the Eastern Region, to acquaint himself with their operations.

He said it was high time people were made to be aware of areas reserved for farming purposes and that if all the reserved areas are used for estate developers, what becomes of the country’s agricultural produce.

Mr Kwetey expressed satisfaction about the potential venture of these companies and lauded their efforts in adding value to their produce for export, encouraging the youth to venture into mainstream farming.

He promised to meet stakeholders in the sector in structuring the Export Development and Investment Fund, to help entrepreneurs to boost their production, since their operations create jobs for a greater number of Ghanaians.

The Fund was established by Act 582 on October 4, 2000 to provide financial resources for the development and promotion of the export trade in the country.

He said government would do its best to support private establishments in the provision of funds on concessionary terms for the development and promotion of export in the country.

Mr Anthony Botchway, Chief Executive Officer of Bomarts Farms Limited, said the company was established in 1985 and later incorporated in 2001, to produce and sell pineapples and mangoes to local and international markets.

He said the company has set up a dry processing plant top create a safety valve for expanded volumes in case of low demand.

Mr Botchway said the company has a mango plantation on a 700-acre land holding.

Mr Maik Blasé, General Manager of HPW Fresh and Dry Limited, said the company specializes in the exportation of mangoes, pineapples and coconut to Spain, Russian and other European countries.

He said the company has a total workforce of 604, out of which 601 are Ghanaians and three foreigners.

He said 95 per cent of the pineapples are from Ghana, while 50 per cent each of mangoes come from Ghana and Burkina Faso and Senegal.

Mr Blasé said the company was poised to expand its business to meet the growing demands by its customers.