Rice farmers in Kajebi in the Oti region have been given some respite regarding the acquisition of agricultural machinery.
The farmers have been urged to at least make an initial half payment of the total cost of agricultural machinery including tractors and power tillers that they will need to boost production. Each of these machines cost between GHC24,000 and GHC31,000.
The relief package was announced by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and said the respite followed an appeal by the rice farmers to the sector minister to be given the machinery on credit.
Shut down of fertliser producing factories
In addition to the half payment, the minister asked the rice farmers to write a letter through the Kajebi District Director of Agriculture for the machines to be given to them on credit. The visit formed part of the minister’s phase two agricultural tour of farms in the Oti region.
Dr Afriyie Akoto explained that most of the fertliser producing factories have shut down due to Covid which situation was affecting the global market for fertliser, adding that “available fertilisers will not be given out on credit but will be on cash and carry system.”
In addition, Dr Afriyie went to the Volta Red Oil Palm Processing Mill also in Kadjebi where he inspected the process of milling palm oil. The Director of Volta Red Oil Palm Processing Mill, Nicholas Kwame Foto, highlighted on some of the challenges bedevilling his company.
Among these challenges, he said, included intermittent power outages, hence pleaded with government to help remedy the situation.
