W/R farmers introduced to Physic nuts production

Takoradi, Aug. 23, GNA - The Reverend John King Mensah, Western Regional Coordinator of the Physic Nut (Adaazdie) Farmers Association, on Friday launched a membership drive to promote the large-scale cultivation of the plant for the production of bio-diesel. Rev Mensah speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Takoradi said under the project, 40 acres of the plant would be cultivated in each district of the region. He said about 60 to 80 people were expected to be employed in each district.

Rev. Mensah said the nuts could be harvested three times a year adding that, the farms could also be inter-cropped with pepper, tomatoes, okro, garden eggs and carrots.

He said Enuanom Industrial Company Limited, would purchase the harvested nuts for processing and appealed to farmers and businessmen, to go into large-scale production of the crop since it would have a ready market.

Mr. Samuel D. Somuah, a Consultant said the project was viable and that the plant took only six or seven months to mature. He said the project would assist the country to meet some of its energy needs and help save foreign exchange. Negotiations were underway with some banks, to support the project.