Farmers in the Abuakwa North Municipality of the Eastern Region have expressed their gratitude to the Municipal Assembly and the Central Government for their unwavering support towards the agricultural sector. The recent delivery of oil palm seedlings has been met with praise, marking a significant boost for local farming.
Many farmers shared their relief at receiving the oil palm seedlings from the Municipal Assembly, highlighting the challenges they previously faced in acquiring quality seedlings due to financial constraints. Prior to this initiative, farmers often struggled with substandard seedlings, which negatively impacted their yields. The new seedlings, provided by the Department of Agriculture, are expected to enhance productivity significantly.
During the presentation of the seedlings, Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Alhaji Umar Babs Bodinga emphasized the importance of planting the seedlings rather than selling them. He reassured farmers that additional farming inputs, such as weedicides, fertilizers, boots, and cutlasses, would be provided. This promise follows a similar successful initiative where 95 selected farmers received and planted oil palm seedlings.
Hon. Alhaji Umar Babs Bodinga announced that 6,000 oil palm seedlings are being distributed to 100 farmers, contributing to a total of almost one million seedlings provided to 1,700 farmers, along with coconut seedlings. This initiative is part of the government’s Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) program, which aims to diversify Ghana’s agricultural exports by encouraging the cultivation of cash crops like cashew, mango, shea, oil palm, and coconut. Research by the Department of Agriculture has shown that oil palm and coconut are highly suitable for the local climate and soil, justifying their selection for distribution.
The Municipal Chief Executive further elaborated on the economic benefits of the initiative, explaining that the harvested palm nuts would supply local palm oil extraction factories. Plans are also underway to establish a coconut oil factory, creating a need for increased coconut production. Hon. Alhaji Umar Babs Bodinga urged farmers to plant the seedlings to support local economic growth.
In addition, the Municipal Chief Executive mentioned that the Agric Department’s inquiries revealed a strong interest in farming among the youth. Consequently, plans are in place to collaborate with traditional leaders to allocate land for commercial farming, which will drive socio-economic development in the area and the nation.
Hon. Alhaji Umar Babs Bodinga reaffirmed the government’s ongoing commitment to farmer welfare and encouraged farmers to support the government by voting for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Nana Kwame Addo Ampaw Frempong to ensure continued development.
The short ceremony held at the Assembly’s forecourt on Friday, July 19, 2024, saw the attendance of notable figures including Mr. Emil Tawiah Atsu, Municipal Coordinating Director, Hon. William Adu Obiri, Presiding Member, various Assembly staff, staff from the Agric Department, and the press.
