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Regional
Minister urges farmers to repay loans
Upper Bobikuma (C/R), Dec. 11, Ghanadot/GNA - The Central
Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, has appealed to farmers
to repay loans given them by the government to enable others
to benefit.
He said over six billion cedis are locked up with farmers
and described the situation as "worrying".
Nana Ato Arthur said this at the 23rd Central Region
Farmers' day celebration at Upper Bobikuma in the Agona
District where over 100 farmers and fishermen were honoured.
He said despite this problem the government would continue
to assist farmers to produce more to feed the nation and had
released 45 billion cedis under the Micro, Small Loans and
Credit (MASLOC) to support farmers.
Nana Ato Arthur said government was making every effort to
make agriculture attractive to the youth under the Youth in
Agriculture Programme.
He said 1,294 youth have been engaged under the programme in
the Central Region and expressed the hope that more youth
would join.
The minister said government has secured 17 million dollars
loan facility for the second phases of the root and tuber
improvement and marketing programme.
The programme seeks to help farmers market and add value to
sweet potatoes, yams and cassava.
On fishing, the regional minister said the industry has
received its fair share of government support.
Dredging of the Elmina Benya Lagoon is on going, a plan for
the fishing harbour at Elmina is ready and work on the
project will start commence in March 2008 he said.
Other landing sites would be constructed at Senya Beraku,
Gomoa Fetteh, Apam, Mumford and Moree to boost the fishing
industry in the region.
GNA
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