Last Updated on June 18, 2024 by Admin
Over 2,000 coconut seedlings have been distributed to farmers in the Obuasi Municipality through the Assembly’s Internally Generated Fund (IGF).
This brings it to 5000 the number of coconut seedlings given to farmers in the past one year. So far, the Obuasi Municipal Assembly has given a total of 55,000 oil palm seedlings and 10,000 citrus seedlings under the government’s Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD).
The PERD program is expected to boost cash crop production and export which ultimately translate into revenue generation.
The Planting for Export and Rural Development is a decentralized national tree crop programme to promote rural economic growth and improve household incomes of farmers through the provision of certified improved seedlings.
Hon. Elijah Adansi-Bonah said the Assembly considered coconut under the initiative to be the most suitable cash crop after considering the weather and economic benefits.
He said the Assembly decided to invest an amount of GH40,000 to procure the 2000 seedlings to support coconut production in the Municipality.
” We decided to support our farmers with coconut seedlings through our internally generated fund as a way of proving to our people that the Assembly see agriculture as a priority sector”.
He said investing in agriculture aligns with the Assembly’s quest to diversify the economy of Obuasi and create more jobs for the youth.
On his part the Municipal Director of Agriculture Yaw Owusu Donkor Jnr commended the MCE for his resolve to support agriculture in the Municipality.
He asked farmers to accept coconut farming as a rewarding venture, hence, the Assembly’s resolve to make farming attractive to the youth to reduce unemployment in Biakoye District.
He advised farmers to heed to the education and directives of their Extension Agents to help improve their farm yields and income.
Madam Patricia Nuamah, a beneficiary lauded the Assembly for providing the coconut seedlings freely to them. She assured that they will protect and maintain the seedlings to serve the purpose to which they were given.
Story by: ISD-OMA
