Project to process pepper for export ready soon

A project to boost the cultivation of Fresh Chilli Pepper for processing and export to European markets, especially Germany, is set to take-off in the Asante-Akyem North District this month.

The venture, managed by Ghana Organic Agricultural Network (GOAN), a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC), all in Kumasi, would buy the produce from farmers and process them into powder for export.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Business Desk in Accra on Monday, the local representative of GOAN, Mr Sam Opoku said any quantity of the crop that would be produced would be purchased.

The project would increase economic activity in most villages and towns across the country since chilli pepper grows virtually under any of the climatic conditions in the country.

Mr Opoku said it was the intention of GOAN to implement the project nationwide, this year and get as many farmers as possible to participate in it to alleviate poverty especially in the rural areas.

The main focus of GOAN, he said, was to encourage farmers to cultivate mostly organic pepper because it was cheap and easy to grow and had the potential of penetrating the European markets easily.

He said a German buyer was in the country early January to meet with government organisations and agencies to explore ways of giving meaning to the project.

"This shows the importance that our partners in Germany, who have already purchased six containers satisfactorily, attach to the project."

The GEPC and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development are working feverishly to find resources to organise individual farmers and organisations in towns, district and regional levels to engage actively in the programme to reduce poverty, he said.

"Our primary target is, however, people who can self-finance the project on contract," Mr Opoku added.

He said the organisation together with GEPC would tour district assemblies in the Brong-Ahafo and Ashanti Regions to meet with stakeholders, farmers and the business community to sell the idea to them.

Interested farmers and individuals, he emphasised, would be provided contracts to grow, process and manage the produce at all levels just as it is doing for GOAN in Konongo where the project has 400 farmers.

"In addition, farmers would be encouraged to be members of our nationwide group of which they would be part owners and share in the benefits of information, technology, bonuses and any financial assistance received by the group.

"The idea is basically to ensure that the crops are managed to meet international standards", Mr Opoku said.