Governments flagship cashew planting program under the Planting for Exports and Rural Development, PERD has recorded a drastic a significant fate in the Kumawu district of the Ashanti region.
A visit to the area revealed that farmers in the area have welcomed the policy and are much enthused.
One of the farmers who spoke to DAILY GUIDE indicated that, the policy is a good initiative by government which has come at the right time to improve and increase the revenue the country generates from farming while improving upon the living conditions of farmers through increased income.
DAILY GUIDE gathers that, the District Chief Executive for the area, Hon. Samuel Agyekum through a collaborated efforts with the Deputy Minister for Local government and Rural Development in charge of Rural Economic Development and Agriculture, Hon. Collins Ntim has raised and is currently nursing over 80,000 seedlings of cashew in a time phrase of two months to support farmers in the area and to also to improve rural economic development.
The hard working and indefatigable District CHief Executive, Hon. Samuel Agyekum told DAILY GUIDE that, the over 80,000 seedlings being nursed will be distributed among farmers for cultivation. He added that, to ensure the success and growth of the seedlings, his outfit has mobilized and trained extension officers who will be charged with providing extension services to the farmers to ensure proper growth of the plants.
According to the Deputy Local Government Minister in charge of Rural Economic Development and Agriculture, Hon. Collins Ntim, government has, together with the Ministry of Trades and Industry identified markets and potential buyers for the cashew when it’s harvested.
He revealed that, already some individuals and countries have shown interest in the product.
The Planting for Export and Rural development program is expected to engage some thousands of farmers in the cultivation of cashew and some other cash crops for export while creating employment, increasing farmer income and improving subsequently the living conditions of farmers.
It is also aimed at serving as a raw material base to complement the one district one factory policy.
About 1200 farmers from the Kumawu District have been registered under the planting for export and rural development, PERD initiative.
Hon. Collins Ntim urged all MMDCEs whose areas have been designated for the planting of cashew to emulate the example of the Kumawu DCE, Hon. Samuel Agyekum to ensure the success of the program.
