Ejura market losing patronage from farmers

The Ejura-Sekyedumase District Assembly is losing revenue as a result of farmers' refusal to patronise the Ejura market due to excessive commissions imposed on them by middlemen at the market.

The farmers pay commission of 80,000 cedis for every 100 tubers of yam they send to the market and 200,000 cedis as transportation fees for every 100 tubers of yam sold between 300,000 and 400,000 cedis.

They also pay 10,000 cedis as commission on every bag of maize and 28,000 cedis per bag of maize as transportation fee on every bag sold at 150,000 cedis.

This was made known at a meeting between Madam Elizabeth Owusu, the Ejura-Sekyedumase District Chief Executive and the farmers and tractor operators.

Madam Owusu expressed concern about the situation and said if the practice was not stopped, it would compel the farmers to abandon farming in the district, a situation, she noted, could jeopardise national food security.

Nana Afua Manu, queen of the Ejura Yam Sellers Association, admitted at the meeting that it was the practise at the market and pledged that she and her colleagues would work out realistic commissions to be collected.

The tractor operators on their part after a lengthy discussion, agreed to plough land measuring 80 feet by 80 feet for 110,000 cedis as against the 140,000 cedis they were charging.

Chief Superintendent Opare Addo, the Asante-Mampong Divisional Police Commander, warned the public against the get-rich -quick attitude at the expense of national peace and security.

He advised the tractor operators to ensure that their tractors had lights and reflectors in order to prevent accidents.