MAG Project Donates Hand-Held Rice Harvesters To 2 Women Farmer Groups In Kintampo

The Canadian government funded ‘Modernizing Agriculture in Ghana’ MAG project through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has donated 6 hand-held rice harvesters to two female rice production groups in the Kintampo North Municipality of the Bono East region.

The Nyame Adom rice farmers association received 4 of the item whiles their colleagues from Bawa Ekura, the Kinyoban rice farmers association got 2.

Presenting the items, the Kintampo North municipal director of the Department of Agriculture Mr. Simon Yambor urged the beneficiaries to adopt a good maintenance culture in the use of the equipment so they could last long enough to serve the purpose for which they were donated.

He urged them to report any problems with use of the harvesters to his office for redress adding that his outfit will take a keen interest in the progress of the groups especially in relation to the use of the machines.

The Bono-East regional agricultural officer in charge of crops, Mr. Eric Kontomah said the groups benefitted from the facility because they met some basic requirements like: a group registration certificate, evidence of meetings and bank statements. He added that groups that satisfy the above requirements should have existed for at least 3 years to qualify for any such assistance.

There was a practical demonstration on the assembling, use and maintenance of the equipment by engineers of the regional office of the department supported by their municipal counterparts.

Some beneficiaries expressed their joy at the gesture hoping that it will help lessen the burden of female rice farmers and boost production.