Ten billion cedis loan for Ejura farmers

Sekyedumase (Ash), Nov.6, GNA - The government in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) has given out ten billion cedis as loans to farmers in the Ejura-Sekyedumase District of Ashanti.

A total of 5673 farmers, including 2,975 females received the credit under the Food Crops Development Project and Root and Tuber Improvement Programme.

Madam Elizabeth Owusu, Ejura-Sekyedumase District Chief Executive, who announced this said the project, which enters its second phase next year would provide food processors and farmers with processing equipment to enable them to add value to their crops, especially cassava.

She was speaking at the district celebration of the 20th national farmers' day at Sekyedumase on Friday.

It was on the theme: "food safety and food improved nutrition for a healthy and active nation".

In all, 17 farmers were honoured with Mr. Franklin Opoku emerging as the overall district best farmer. They receive prizes that ranged from colour TV sets, cutlasses, lanterns and Wellington boots.

The project, according to Madam Owusu had significantly improved the lot of the beneficiary farmers in fulfilment of the government's dream of reducing poverty, especially among the rural folk.

She further announced that the implementation of the livestock project in the district had just started and urged livestock farmers who not yet formed groups to do so to enable them access the credit facility under the project.

The DCE added that Inland Rice Development Project would be implemented in the district in 2005 and when fully implemented, about 1000 farmers would benefit from it.

She said balanced diet, safe food and physical exercise would tone up the muscles to make people strong and also enhanced productivity at all levels.

Madam Owusu therefore, urged farmers to spare consumers' life by selling to them crops cultivated and preserved under proper hygienic conditions.