By Samuel Ofori Boateng, GNA
Mabang (Ash), Sept. 03, GNA – Mr Frank Yeboah, Member of Parliament (MP), for Atwima Nwabiagya north has supported six rice farmer groups in the constituency with six mechanised rice threshers, valued at GHS 100,000.00 to improve harvesting efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses.
The machines were inaugurated and formally handed over to the beneficiary farmer groups at a ceremony at Mabang School Park.
The event was held under the theme “Mechanizing Our Harvest, Securing Our Future: Empowering Rice Farmer Groups for Food Security and Prosperity.”
The beneficiary groups were from Mfensi, Amakye Bare, Abira Zone, Barekese Zone, Akropong Zone and Wurapong Zone.
Mr Yeboah, speaking at the ceremony, said agriculture remained the backbone of many communities and a major pillar of the economy, stressing that, farmers played a critical role in feeding the population, creating employment and supporting local development.
He said although Atwima Nwabiagya North was endowed with fertile lands and hardworking farmers, rice production had been constrained by reliance on manual harvesting and threshing methods.
According to him, the situation was labour intensive and time-consuming and could contribute to post-harvest losses and reduced quality of produce.
Mr Yeboah said the provision of the threshers was therefore, intended to improve productivity, reduce losses, save farmers valuable time and labour, improve the quality of rice and ultimately make farming more profitable and attractive, particularly to the youth.
He explained that the six threshers, valued at GHS 100,000.00, formed part of his commitment to supporting agriculture in the constituency, following concerns raised by farmers during his campaign tour.
The MP urged the beneficiary groups to use the machines for their intended purposes and ensure proper maintenance to prolong their lifespan and enable more farmers to benefit from them.
He further disclosed that his next areas of support would focus on tomato farmers, followed by farmers engaged in the cultivation of garden eggs.
Mr Yeboah also encouraged farmers to strengthen their groups and associations, noting that, unity and cooperation could help them share resources, improve their operations and access more opportunities.
He commended the Regional and District Directorates of Agriculture, agricultural extension officers, organisers and other stakeholders for their contribution towards the success of the initiative.
The District Director of Agriculture for Atwima Nwabiagya North, Mrs Grace Achia, expressed appreciation to the MP and Atwima Nwabiagya North District Assembly for the initiative.
She said the programme was initiated by the MP in strong collaboration with the District Assembly and aligned with the government’s Feed Ghana Programme and the District Medium-Term Development Plan, particularly the emphasis on agricultural mechanisation to enhance food security.
Mrs Achia assured the beneficiary farmers that the Department of Agriculture would provide the necessary extension support to ensure the machines were used effectively.
She said Agricultural Extension Agents would train members of all six groups in the proper operation, maintenance and safety procedures associated with the threshers.
On behalf of the rice farmers, Mrs Achia expressed profound gratitude to the MP and the District Assembly for what she described as timely support.
She said the intervention would go beyond providing equipment to farmers, as it would help secure their livelihoods and contribute to the future of rice production in the constituency.
Some of the beneficiary farmers also thanked Mr Yeboah for the support, saying the threshers would significantly reduce the burden associated with manual threshing.
They said the machines would save time and labour, minimise post-harvest losses, and improve the efficiency of rice production.
The farmers pledged to take proper care of the equipment and use them for their intended purposes to ensure that the investment continued to benefit rice farmers in the various communities.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Kenneth Odeng Adade