The factories under construction
As part of the government’s “One District, One Factory (1D1F)” initiative, Afram Plains South District in the Eastern Region is set to get two factories.
The factories are a Cassava Processing and Pig Production located at Forifori and Agyata respectively. Their construction started last year and is expected to be completed in the next six months, this year. The factories will engage over 1,000 youths, thereby reducing the unemployment rate in the district.
Jeff Konadu Addo, the Eastern Regional Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who owns the Cassava Processing Factory, after touring the site over the weekend, explained to journalists that the projects are integrated, and the pigs farm is going to produce a minimum of 45,00 metric tons of meat every month.
He said …the factory would use the cassava residue from the cassava processing factory nearby and mix with other ingredients to produce the feed for the pigs. He noted that the farmers in Afram Plains South are going to have a ready market for their farm produce such as cassava, maize, among others.
Jeff Konadu added that the cassava would be processed into gari and chips, which would be supplied to local markets and some exported to other countries.
Mr. George Ofori, the Kwahu Afram Plains South District Chief Executive, also said the district, in partnership with the investors, would set up the factories in the area, this year.
Mr. Ofori said the factory would enhance the agribusiness sector, with opportunities for women and persons with disability (PWDs).
He said 200 acres of cassava had been planted to serve as raw materials to feed the factory and that the factory had prompted many farmers to go into the cultivation of cassava in the district.
He commended the government’s effort in the implementation of programmes that enhance agriculture in the district.
He noted that since Afram Plains had become the food basket of the country, people within the district are always happy with programmes that will enhance agriculture, saying the provision of fertilizers to farmers is a laudable move.
He commended the government for the provision of tractors and irrigation machines and others to reduce the burden on farmers.
On Planting for Food and Jobs, he revealed that the production of maize by farmers had been successful. He called on the government to buy the maize from the farmers.
He said by the end of the year, the ‘One District, One Warehouse’ initiative would commence operations.
FROM Daniel Bampoe, Tease