SOYA BEAN FARMERS RECEIVE COMBINE HARVESTERS (PAGE 35, OCT 29)

SOYA bean production in the Northern Region has been boosted following the provision of three combine harvesters to 5,000 organised farmers in selected communities in the region.
The equipment, valued at $70,000, was provided by the Ghana Nuts Limited (GNL), an agro-processing firm based at Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region. Additionally, the company provided 10 shellers to the beneficiaries.
The equipment would facilitate the harvesting of soya bean cultivated on a total of 7,000 acres located at Nasia in the West Mamprusi District, Tampion, Savelugu, Nanton, Daboya, Bunkpurugu, Yunyoo, Yendi, Wapuli, Chereponi, Wenchiki and Walewale, among other beneficiary communities.
At the ceremony to present the equipment to the beneficiaries at Nasia, the Deputy Managing Director of the GNL, Mr Prince Obeng Asante, said the ultimate vision of the company was to ensure that it complemented the government’s efforts to limit the importation of soya beans.
According to him, the country would spend $30 million on the average to import the produce.
“We, therefore, have to do everything possible to reduce the importation of soya bean and put more money into the pockets of our hard-working farmers by providing them with the requisite equipment to produce in commercial quantities,” Mr Asante observed.
He announced that his outfit would provide farmers with weedicides and planters to boost production of soya beans in the beneficiary communities.
Mr Asante disclosed that the GNL produced 80,000 tonnes of soya beans or 800,000 maxi bags of the produce every year with support from out-growers, adding that the company exported 20,000 maxi bags of the produce every month to Cote d'Ivoire and Togo.
“The company has a vision to be the centre of excellence in agro-processing within the West Africa sub-region; we also produce one of the finest high quality cooking oil known as 'Akuma',“ he further stated.
Mr Asante thanked the farmers for their support, saying the equipment was to acknowledge the hard work in the beneficiary communities.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Nayina, entreated the youth in the region to take advantage of the interventions being provided by the GNL by taking up farming activities to earn decent incomes.
He also appealed to residents of the region to co-exist peacefully and resolve to fight hunger, poverty and illiteracy in their respective communities.
A nurse, who is also into farming, Madam Esther Jantong, appealed to chiefs and opinion leaders to release more land to women interested in farming to increase the cultivation of soya beans and other crops in the area.
The Deputy Regional Director of Food and Agriculture, Mr Michael Addah, called on investors to support farmers to boost the production of crops to enhance food security in the region.
The West Mamprusi District Chief Executive, Mr Sule Abudu, observed that the equipment would ultimately enhance the income levels of beneficiary farmers.