Government urged to support farmers with credit facilities

Kumasi, July 21, GNA - Mr. Joseph Oppong Ofori, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Food Crop Processors Association (FCPA), has said lack of credit facilities to farmers to expand their farms was a major obstacle affecting rice production in the country.

He has therefore appealed to the government to provide them with adequate funds to enable them to increase production and ensure food security.

Mr. Oppong-Ofori told the GNA in an interview that it was high time the government supplied the farmers and rice millers with equipment and storage facilities.

He said Ghana could take a lesson from the developed countries where governments paid serious attention to the production of food especially rice and wheat.

Mr. Oppong-Ofori said in spite of rice project at Afife and Avalavi in the Volta Region and Kpong in the Eastern Region, the nation was still importing rice.

The chairman also drew attention to the need for farmers to be educated on modern methods of farming to boost crop yield.

The association was established to bring farmers and food processors together to adopt strategies to ensure higher production of rice and other food stuffs.

It has been supporting members with funds to enable them expand their activities.

He appealed to those who have benefited from loans from the association to pay back on time to enable others to also enjoy the facility.

GNA