Government to revive Ayensu Starch factory

Takoradi, Aug. 26, GNA - Government said it was committed to reviving the Ayensu Starch Factory by making it more a sustainable venture that would not rely on raw materials from individual farmers. Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Minister for Trade, Industry, President's Special Initiatives (PSIs) and Private Sector Development (PSD), who told the Ghana News Agency at Takoradi at the weekend, said the factory's survival must shift from being dependent on individual farmers output.

He said the company's operation was halted mainly because of a misunderstanding that ensued between the management of the company and the farmers over the purchase price of cassava. Papa Owusu-Ankomah said the factory must established its own cassava plantation to feed the mill with supplementary purchases from the farmers, instead of shifting the entire cultivation on the farmers. He said farmers were part of the Ayensu factory and its success story and should continue to supply their produce to the factory. Papa Owusu-Ankomah said series of meetings had been held with the farmers and their leadership on how best to provide the raw materials needed.