More than 350 farmers have received a significant boost through the distribution of 53,000 seedlings of diverse tree crops in the Sekyere Kumawu District of the Ashanti Region, as part of the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) flagship initiative.
These seedlings encompass 23,000 oil palm and coconut plants, 20,000 teak saplings, and an additional 10,000 mahogany seedlings. This substantial allocation is anticipated to make a substantial contribution to rural economic development and export growth in Ghana.
A ceremony held on September 20th, 2023, in Kumawu-Wonoo, centered around the theme “Increasing and Diversifying Ghana’s Tree Crop Production and Export.” During this event, farmers were strongly encouraged to actively participate in this highly significant program.
While cautioning farmers not to solely depend on external assistance, Francis Kyei, the District Director of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of approaching farming with the same diligence and commitment as any other significant business endeavor. He underscored that farming has the potential to enhance one’s quality of life.
Farmers have expressed their gratitude to the government and all stakeholders for the successful implementation of this initiative.
The Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) program operates as a component of the Government of Ghana’s strategic agricultural development initiative, “Planting for Food and Jobs.” Its primary objective is to stimulate rural economic growth and enhance the income levels of rural farmers.