Shama positioning to be an industrial hub for coconut processing- MP
The Shama District of the Western Region has taken on a new paradigm in agriculture to position it as a preferred destination for the establishment of a coconut processing factory under government’s industrialization agenda of the One District One Factory Initiative.
Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. (Dr.) Ato Panford who is optimistic of this agenda has with the support of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, secured an agricultural support package that will see to the provision of ten thousand coconut seedlings, distributed freely to farmers for cultivation on large plantations.
In furtherance of which an initial five thousand coconut seedlings have been readied and distributed to the farmers. The seedlings are hybrid and highly resistant to pest and diseases, with a maturity period of about three years for fruiting.
Speaking exclusively to Skyy News as the farmers take delivery of these seedlings, Hon. (Dr.) Ato Panford stressed that the district will explore in its fullest potential, the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) program to improve the economic livelihood of the people.
“In future after the next three years, when an industrialist wants to install any processing plant in the region, we will be bold to have our data right to show them that we can produce coconut in larger volumes to feed their plant” he noted with some excitement.
District Chief Executive for the area, Mr. Joseph Amoah indicated that the assembly has since the introduction of the PERD programme nursed about four thousand, and twelve thousand seedlings of palm to be distributed to farmers for replanting.
Sharing in the aspirations of the legislator, Mr. Amoah prayed that farmers take up the opportunity to prepare lands for the cultivation of coconut in larger volumes.
“As they send these to their farms for planting and it starts bearing fruits, more farmers will be willing to participate and many will wish to release more lands for its cultivation. You will believe with me that when it comes to cash crops the farmers will get to earn more money. They will be richer than what they were before” Mr Amoah noted.
