Tarkwa-Nsuaem Assembly supports coconut production with 11,600 seedlings

To demonstrate its commitment and unflinching support towards the Planting for Export and Rural Development, PERD the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, (TNMA) has kicked start the production of coconut seedlings at Bonsa.

"The move has been necessitated as a result of Nana Akufo-Addo's planting for food and export, PERD initiative aimed at rehabilitating the production of coconut and also increase export volumes by concentrating on the supply chain of exportable coconut products".

Hon Gilbert Ken Asmah, Municipal Chief Executive for Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality said this when he paid two separates visits to the Bonsaso Seed Garden at Bonsa with the Minister of Agricultural, Hon and Deputy Minister of Local Government in charge of, Hon Collins Ntim on separate visitations.

The President's representative for the Municipality hinted that there is an existing 90-acre coconut plantation which needs urgent rehabilitation, TNMA is in the process of collaborating with relevant stakeholders in request of fertilizers to revamp the plantation,

According to him, an estimated 100,000 coconut seedlings are expected to be raised under the project in two years, currently, 11,600 seedlings are ready for planting.

In the area of Oil palm, a 100,000 projection has been earmarked, out of which 2,000 is also ready. Hon Asmah observed that the Assembly's key objective under the PERD initiative is enhancing coconut production and again to diversify the export foundation to ensure that the country is supported on a firm and enhanced agricultural sector, in totality a figure of 5,960 Malayan Yellow Dwarf, (MYD) and 5,640 Equitorian Guinea Dwarf, (EDG) breeds of coconut will be cultivated initially, he mentioned.

He stressed further, that the timely and strategic investment in the coconut production under the PERD project will yield a colossal Gross Domestic Product, GDP growth of Ghana's economy specifically in the agriculture sector, Again this initiative presents prospects for value addition for the local economy of Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, Ghana and the international markets, thereby creating business opportunities and employment for the citizenry.

Hon Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister for Agriculture in his brief remarks commended the Tarkwa-Nsuaem MCE and his team for the good start; It is expected that the project will help in the provision of raw materials to government's decentralised flagship programme One District One factory initiative, He entreated the youth to venture into coconut farming since it was a lucrative business opportunity to earn better income to cater for their personal and development needs.

Hon Collins Ntim, Deputy Local Government Minister for his part commended TNMA for the gesture, adding that the initiative would encourage the youth to go into coconut farming and boost production.