The Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) in the Western Region has supported the Department of Food and Agriculture of the assembly to raise seedlings for free distribution to farmers in the municipality.
The assembly has acquired a nursery site at Assakae in the area and a total of 9,332 oil palm seedlings and 7,000 coconut seedlings had been nursed for distribution to the farmers prior to the rainy season in 2021.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), KojoAcquah, disclosed this at the 3rd Ordinary Meeting of the First Session of EKMA held at the premises of the assembly.
He said as part of a national effort to cut down on importation of livestock products, the National Cockerel Project under the rearing for Food and Jobs initiative, EKMA was chosen to host the Regional Distribution Programme.
He noted that 500 chicks of six weeks old were distributed to farmers at a subsidized rate and that the 55 beneficiary farmers were to raise cockerels for cross breeding to improve on local existing breeds.
He told the assembly members that in respect of the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme, the Department of Food and Agriculture received 72 bags of maize for distribution to farmers also at subsidized rate.
“Additionally, 50 cans of cabbage seeds and 10 cans of tomato seeds were received and subsequently distributed.
“Again, a total of 2,572 bags of fertiliser have been received by an accredited distributor for sale at subsidized prices,” he added.
He told the gathering that the government through the National Board for Small Scale Industries released funds to the Business Advisory Centre of EKMA.
He said a 40-day technical training workshop was therefore organised for 100 participants from the municipality in entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
He appealed to the assembly members to inform residents in their respective areas to visit the Business Advisory Centre and take advantage of such initiatives to upgrade their skills and businesses.
He bemoaned the fact that unauthorised development had become a major challenge hampering the Sustainable Land Use Plan within the municipality.
“This has led to road encroachment, building in waterways, among others.
“I therefore plead with all assembly members to help resolve this problem by assisting the assembly in the monitoring of physical developments within their specific electoral areas,” he added.
He indicated that the assembly through the Urban Roads Department had carried out desilting and grading works in some major drains and roads in the area.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi