1,167 farmers benefit from PERD programme at BNDA

A total of 1,167 farmers had registered to participate in the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) programme in the Birim North District.

The beneficiaries include 300 females and 867 males from 25 communities across the district.

The district assembly in its effort to implement the policy has acquired 125,000 oil palm seeds for distribution to interested farmer groups in the district for the establishment of community nurseries.

Whiles, 236,280 polybags had been procured and distributed to farmer groups to enhance the nursery of the palm seeds.

The PERD Programme is a decentralized National Tree Crop Programme to promote rural economic growth and improve household incomes of rural farmers through the provision of certified improved seedlings, extension services, business support and regulatory mechanisms.

The Birim North District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Raymond Nana Damptey disclosed the information when he addressed the first ordinary meeting of the fourth session of the sixth assembly of the Birim North District Assembly at New Abirem.

He said, 32 farmer groups were formed and sensitized on the modalities covering the programme.

He explained that, monitoring and extension services have been provided to ensure the success of the programme.

Mr Damptey said the seedlings are at an advanced stage and would soon be ready for transplanting.

He indicated that, fertilizer and pesticides would be provided to the various nurseries to help improve their yields.