Cassava Farmers Association to establish block farms

Awutu-Bawjiase (C/R), Jan. 14, GNA - The Ayensu Cassava Farmers Association (ACFA) has concluded plans to establish hectares of block farms in districts that it operates in.

This is to ensure all-year-round supply of raw material for the Ayensu Industrial Starch Factory at Awutu-Bawjiase.

Mr. Samuel K. Dodd, National Chairman of the Association, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in an interview after meeting the Projects Manager of the Bawjiase Area Rural Bank (BARB) at Awutu-Bawjiase to discuss issues affecting members of the Association. He said the establishment of block farms would create more employment opportunities for the jobless youth and ensure prompt repayment of loans since it would prevent beneficiaries from diverting their produce during the harvesting period. Mr. Dodd said the programme it would also allay the fears of financial institutions providing micro credit to members of the association and maintain the trust and confidence reposed in the association.

The National Chairman counseled the members of the Association to create fire belts around their farms to avoid bushfire disasters during the dry season.

He pointed out that the executives of the Association would not entertain excuses for default in the re-payment of loans from members who failed to heed the advice and fell victim to bushfires. Mr. Dodd pointed out that fifty acres of cassava farms belonging to members of the Association had been burnt in bushfires this dry season.