Multi-purpose farm established at Afram Plains

Kwanim (E/R), May 7, GNA - A 38 million dollar multi-purpose mechanized farm has been established on a 22,000 hectare land at Kwanim, a farming community near Maame Krobo in the Kwahu North District of the Afram Plains.

The farm, known as Kwanim Ghana Denmark (KGD) Farm limited, is a joint venture between a Ghanaian and Denmark Company to produce maize, Soya beans and piggery on a large scale for local consumption and export. The farm has acquired farm equipment like bulldozers, tractors, combine harvesters and drying machines as well as weedicide and fertilizer to enhance its operation. Mr Alexander Frempong Tenkorang, Executive Chairman of the farm said this when the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo visited the farm as part of his two-day working visit to the Kwahu North District.

He said the farm, established two years ago, cultivated 400 hectares of maize last year and intended to cultivate 900 hectares this years.

Mr Tenkorang said the farm had employed 200 workers and that the cultivation of the Soya beans and piggery projects would be done later. He said an 8,400 metric tons storage facility was being constructed on the farm for the storage of maize.

He said electricity was being extended from Maame Krobo to the farm, a distance of about 25 kilometres and the construction of 18 culverts on a 15 kilometre access road to the farm. Mr Tenkorang said a housing project would be undertaken to provide accommodation for the workers of the farm while construction of a basic school and a clinic would also be undertaken. He said the company would invest 50 per cent of its profit into the project with 15 percent going into social development projects for the surrounding communities.

Mr Tenkorang appealed for a su bsidy on fertilizer to enable the company to purchase adequate fertilizers to improve the fertility of soil to enhance production. He also appealed to the electricity company of Ghana (ECG) to assist with the extension of electric power to the farm. Mr Ofosu Ampofo said the government would assist such private investors to establish large scale farms to increase food production to ensure food security.

He urged the World Bank and the country's local banks to assist such investors financially to produce enough food to feed the country's population.

The regional minister advised the workers of the farm to work hard and avoid negative practices that could retard the development of the project. 07 May 09