From January through June of this year, the Department of Agriculture in the Asutifi North district handed 111,000 tree seedlings to farmers in the district.
In an interview with the Ghanaian Times in Kenyasi, in the Ahafo Region, Mr. Paul Boakye, the District Director of the Department, stated that the seedlings included 25,000 economic trees and 86,000 oil palm.
The director mentioned that the department had previously delivered 116,000 seedlings last year, including 30,000 oil palm, 63,000 cashew, 3,000 coconut, and 20,000 economic trees.
“In 2020 alone, we distributed 40,000 oil palm, 3,000 coconut and 50,000 cashew seedlings making 93,000”, he disclosed.
According to Mr. Boakye, the seedlings were distributed to farmers in the distribution centres in the following locations: Gambia, Ntotroso, Kramokrom, Goamu Camp, Koforidua, Kenyasi, Tutuka, Obengkrom, Amomaso, Bogyampa, Donkorkrom, and others around the district.
The director mentioned that the seedlings were nursed for at various facilities that were closer to the farms so that they could be transported easily.
He reiterated that the department’s goal was to encourage agriculture development by giving domestic and export-oriented businesses the structure, funding, and support services they required.
Mr. Boakye expressed appreciation to Anthony Mensah, the Asutifi North District Chief Executive (DCE), traditional leaders, religious figures, assembly members, and other stakeholders for their support of the department’s operations.
Anthony Omari-Mensah, the district extension officer, said that the department taught farmers how to plant, space, and apply pesticides among other proper agronomic techniques to ensure good crop yield.