Environmentally friendly way of processing tobacco introduced

Nkoranza (B/A), March 29 GNA - The British America Tobacco Company has introduced a more environmentally friendly way of processing tobacco to farmers in the Nkoranza District of Brong Ahafo Region, as part of efforts to stem the depletion of the Savannah Woodland.

With the new technology, farmers use sawdust to cure the leaves instead of fuel wood, thereby stopping the old practice of cutting down trees for the purpose. The District Manager of the Company, Mr Emmanuel Ofori-Gyamo announced this when he briefed the District Assembly's Development Planning Sub-Committee at Nkoranza on Monday.

Mr Gyamo said the company would soon plant trees along the banks of rivers Bonsu and Sonka to prevent them from drying up during the dry season. Company has instituted a scholarship package for the wards of tobacco farmers to encourage them to send their children to school.

The Chairman of the Sub-Committee, Mr Kwame Ofori-Banhini appealed to the government to re-construct the Jema-Nkwanta -Nkoranza - Ejura road to facilitate the movement of goods and services in the middle section of the country.

He described the road as very important to the country since it links the Techiman - Kintampo- Tamale road to the Mampong - Ejura - Yeji - Makango - Tamale road, adding that it's re-construction would help to boost commercial activities at Kintampo, Nkoranza and Ejura.

GNA