Rural farmers call for urgent steps to address post-harvest loses

Farmers in the Sekyere East District have appealed to the government to assist them to process their farm produce in order to reduce post-harvest loses and increase their incomes.

Mr Clement Duku, Chairman of the Asante Effiduase Kroye Farmers’ Co-operative Union, who made the appeal said processing and value addition was the surest way to boost incomes and reduce poverty among farmers.

He was speaking at the opening of a new office for the association at Effiduase.

Mr. Duku, said the association was currently embarking on a large cassava plantation in the district which was intended to be processed into gari and starch.

To realise this dream, the association would require the financial and technical support from the government and other development partners to succeed.

 Mr. Duku said aside cocoa production, which members of the association were involved on large scale, they were also involved in the production of cassava, maize and other vegetables such as pepper and garden eggs.

Madam Mary Boatemaa Marfo, the District Chief Executive (DCE) said the Assembly was committed to providing the needed assistance to farmers in order to boost production and improve their livelihoods.

She said agriculture remained the catalyst to addressing poverty challenges in rural communities and improve the socio-economic lives of the people.

 Madam Marfo said the Assembly was working to reshape feeder roads in the area to ease access to market centres.

Mr Morrison Nketiah, the Cocoa Extension Officer in the district urged farmers to seek prompt and continuous technical advice from extension officers in order to increase crop yield.

He also urged them to be cautious in the handling of agro-chemicals and pay much attention to their health since that was the first guarantee to their future and sustainability of their businesses.   

Source: GNA