Grace Agyemang Asamoah, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Kwanwoma, has distributed 9,000 oil palm seedlings to farmers in the district, in line with the government’s agenda to boost agriculture and improve livelihoods.
About 400 farmers from various communities within the district benefited from the distribution exercise, held at Atwima Foase.
Speaking at the short ceremony, Asamoah announced plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and other stakeholders to scale up the production and distribution of oil palm seedlings in the district.
She noted that the government’s vision was to position Ghana as the hub for food production in the sub-region, adding that, the initiative aimed to significantly improve farmers’ income and living standards.
“I encourage all beneficiaries to make good use of these seedlings to generate income and help feed the nation,” she said.
The DCE emphasised that the distribution would be free from partisan considerations or favoritism, ensuring that all eligible farmers benefited.
She revealed that officials from the Department of Agriculture would monitor the beneficiaries to ensure the seedlings were planted and used for their intended purpose.
Asamoah reaffirmed government’s recognition of agriculture as the backbone of the country’s foreign exchange earnings, stressing that, more interventions would be rolled out to strengthen the sector.
Afia Asenso Owusu Ansah, the District Director of Agriculture, commended the initiative, describing it as a vital step towards making oil palm abundantly available within the next few years to feed local factories and boost production capacity.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the government and the DCE for their support, pledging their commitment to sustain the initiative.
