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FINATRADE & MiDA to increase rice production
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
Accra, Jan 24, Ghanadot -
FINATRADE, a private rice exporting company, in
collaboration with Millennium Development Authority (MiDA)
are embarking on a comprehensive plan to increase local rice
production in the country.
In addition to purchasing their produce, they would provide
inputs, credit facilities, processors and field assistance
to rice farmers.
Mr. John Awuni, Corporate Affairs Director of FINATRADE
GROUP, announced this when receiving the first consignment
of 761 bags of 'TOGO MARSHAL' perfumed rice from 58 farmers
the two institutions assisted to produce rice in Hohoe in
the Volta Region.
He said Rice Master, a subsidiary company of FINATRADE
GROUP, would receive similar quantities of rice from the
farmers on weekly basis this year.
Mr. Awuni said FINATRADE would in addition improve its
assistance to rice farmers from Ghana Rice Growers
Association, Dawhenya Rice Farmers Cooperative Group and
Afife and Kpong Rice farmers in the Volta Region.
He said the company would soon launch a campaign to increase
the production of 'Red Rice' which is highly nutritious and
called for an effective partnership between the company and
government to achieve the objective of increasing local rice
production by 30 per cent by the end of the year.
Mr. Awuni said he was disappointment at the low production
rate in some areas where the company assisted farmers and
urged them to adhere strictly to technical advice offered by
extension officers to help increase rice production in the
country.
"The perennial problem of inability of local farmers to meet
demand is being manifested. We were expecting 20,000 bags of
rice, but so far received only 761," he said.
Ghanadot
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