Agric Director calls for drastic reclamation strategy of land
The Amansie West District Director of Agriculture, Dr Albert Kwansah-Filson, has expressed worry about the destruction being created by the uncontrolled illegal mining activities “galamsey” to the environment in the district.
He said if an appropriate reclamation strategy is not initiated and implemented by the District Assembly, local and traditional authorities, agricultural production in the area would decline significantly this year.
Dr Kwansah-Filson was speaking at the 27th district farmers’ day celebration held at Datano in the district.
He said that estimated percentage decline in production would be 30 per cent for cocoa, 19.4 per cent for root and tuber, 20.5 per cent for plantain, vegetables, 25 per cent and cereals like rice, 26.8 per cent and maize 2.5 per cent.
The District Director said the theme for the celebration, “Grow more food: Research for sustainable agriculture development”, was very appropriate as food security is important in building the economy and sustaining the middle status of the nation.
He said the Directorate had vowed to transfer researched technologies to farmers to improve their yields.
Dr Kwansah-Filson said they were collaborating with Care/Cadbury Cocoa Partnership Programme (CCCPP) to improve the living conditions of farmers in eighteen (18) communities in the areas of scholarship to second cycle schools, construction of household toilets and hand-dug wells, supply of solar lamps to houses and panels to schools, supply of bicycles to school children and provision of spraying and pruning machines.
Mr Charles Oti-Prempeh, the District Chief Executive (DCE), congratulated all farmers and stakeholders involved in the growth and development of agriculture in the area.
He appealed to farmers who participated in the Government block farming project to endeavour to pay back their loans or face prosecution.
In all 32, farmers were honoured with prizes with the district best farmer’s award going to 45-year-old Prince Asamoah of Antoakrom who took home a 21- inch television set, a bicycle, a Radio set, six pieces of cutlass, two pairs of wellington boots two bars of soap and a certificate.
Source: GNA