Farmers use subsidized fertilizers to cultivate Indian hemp

Boti, (ER) June 11, GNA - Superintendent John Naami, the Koforidua Municipal Police Commander, on Wednesday, expressed worry about reported cases of some farmers using subsidized fertilizers in the cultivation of Indian hemp farms.

He has, therefore, called for the proper scrutiny of farmers in the supplying of subsidized fertilizers to ensure that it is used for food crops and not for Indian hemp cultivation. Superintendent Naami was briefing the GNA after a combined team of the Police and the Korle-Nkwanta Neighbourhood Watch Committee identified an over

60-acre plantation of "wee," at Boti, in the Yilo Krobo District. He stressed that the large cultivation of "wee" plantation had a direct impact on criminal and security activities so it was important that its production was nipped in the bud. According to him, the fight against farmers of such plantations would be easier when the culprits did not receive incentives like subsidized fertilizer.

Nene Tei Oklitey, chief of Boti-Centre, was picked by the police to help identify the owners of the land, while four farmers were arrested on their plantations during the operation. They are Nartey Felix, 17, a JHS Two pupil, Dawutey Tawiah, 32, Emmanuel Narh, 54 and Emmanuel Akuteye, 60. The combined team had initially embarked on an operation to destroy a 20- acre wee plantation, identified by through intelligence monitoring.

But a further search discovered a 40-acre plantation in the same town. Consequently, a total of more than 100 acres of wee have been destroyed by the Municipal Command in less than a year around Boti, Huhunya and its environs in the same district. The four would be processed for court after interrogation. 11 June 09