Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi Supports Cocoa Farmers

The Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni-valley Constituency who doubles as the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Lawyer Mrs. Barbara Oteng Gyasi, , has donated items worth over GH¢ 50,000.00 to cocoa farmers within the Municipality.

The items included 60 knapsack spraying machines and 100 wellington boats.

Making the presentation on Sunday 5th August, 2018, at a short ceremony held at her residence at Huni-valley, Hon. Lawyer Mrs Barbara Oteng Gyasi said her presentation was in fulfillment of her pledge to support farming in the constituency with the needed financial strength and logistics to improve their standard of living.

Hon. Lawyer Mrs Barbara Oteng Gyasi described the cocoa sector as the backbone of the economy and enumerated its tremendous contribution towards infrastructural development of the country.

She also stressed on planting for food and jobs which is creating employment for the youth and the re-introduction of the pollination and gang spraying program and assured them of equal benefits towards boosting cocoa production in the municipality and the country.

Hon. Lawyer Mrs Barbara Oteng Gyasi also called on farmers to observe all the requisite practices to enable them reap the benefits of their work to improve their livelihoods.

She again advised the beneficiaries to manage the operations of the machines properly, in order for it to last long. 'I also urge you to adopt good cultural practices such as periodical maintenance of these machines,' the MP admonished.

Mr. Johnson Asante, an extension coordinator at the district directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), advised the farmers to always get their chemicals from the right source, and from only approved agents, in order not to use the wrong chemicals which can destroy their cocoa seedlings.

Mr Thomas Nana Boakye, the district chief farmer, who received the items on behalf of his colleagues thanked the

MP for the kind gesture and asked for more of such assistance to enable farmers live meaningful lives.

The occasion also offered the farmers an opportunity to seek professional advice from agricultural extension agents.