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Past award winners of farmers in Tema cry for tomato cannery
Tema, Sept. 9, Ghanadot/NA - The Tema Past Award Winners
Association of Farmers (Tema PAWA), has appealed to government
and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to construct a
Tomato Cannery in Tema.
The construction of the cannery, the Association said, would
help process and preserve tomatoes cultivated in the Metropolis
and noted that currently huge quantities of the produce get
rotten during bumper seasons.
Mr William Afutu Bortey, Chairman of Tema PAWA, who made the
appeal at the Association’s special meeting on Tuesday, said
some tomato farmers in the area were no longer interested in
growing tomatoes and other perishable foodstuffs, due to the
lack of a processing facility among other challenges.
The meeting was to affirm the constitution of the Association
and elect substantive executive members.
The Association comprised 50 farmers and fishermen, who have won
awards at the district, regional and national levels, and are
practicing their occupation in Tema.
Dwelling further on the processing facility, Mr Bortey said, it
would not only encourage more farmers in the Metropolis to grow
the crop, but to also create more jobs opportunities for the
youth.
He further called on government to reduce the payment required
from farmers to procure tractors from 50 to 20 per cent to
enable them to pay.
The Chairman described as unfortunate situations where banks and
other financial institutions discriminated against farmers as
other workers such as beneficiary taxi drivers paid only 20
percent of the cost of their vehicles.
Mr Bortey added that farmers were also required to provide
guarantors before their request for loans was granted with the
excuse that their occupation was seasonal.
He stated that the district offices of the Ministry of Food and
Agriculture (MOFA) must be empowered to facilitate farmers’
acquisition of loans and implements as it was not enough for
them to give directives only.
The Chairman said his outfit aimed at fostering unity among
farmers in the Metropolis to enhance their chances of obtaining
loans without much difficulty.
He further said it was the objective of Tema PAWA to organize
programmes to improve farming and fishing activities in the
Metropolis as well as contribute towards the implementation of
the nation’s agricultural policies.
Mr Felix Mishiame, Tema Metropolitan Director of MOFA said his
predecessor initiated the idea of forming the Association to
ensure continuous communication between award winners and the
directorate.
Mr Mishiame indicated that members of the Association serve as
role models for their colleagues as well as encourage the youth
to enter into farming and fishing business.
He, therefore, appealed to all farming and fishing award winners
in the Metropolis to fully participate in the activities of the
Association.
GNA
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