The factories under construction
As part of the government’s “One District, One Factory (1D1F)”
initiative, Afram Plains South District in the Eastern Region is set to get two
factories.
The factories are a Cassava Processing and Pig Production located
at Forifori and Agyata respectively. Their construction started last year and
is expected to be completed in the next six months, this year. The factories
will engage over 1,000 youths, thereby reducing the unemployment rate in
the district.
Jeff Konadu Addo, the Eastern Regional Secretary of the ruling New
Patriotic Party (NPP), who owns the Cassava Processing Factory, after touring
the site over the weekend, explained to journalists that the projects are
integrated, and the pigs farm is going to produce a minimum of 45,00 metric
tons of meat every month.
He said …the factory would use the cassava residue from the
cassava processing factory nearby and mix with other ingredients to produce the
feed for the pigs. He noted that the farmers in Afram Plains South are going to
have a ready market for their farm produce such as cassava, maize, among
others.
Jeff Konadu added that the cassava would be processed into gari
and chips, which would be supplied to local markets and some exported to other
countries.
Mr. George Ofori, the Kwahu Afram Plains South District Chief
Executive, also said the district, in partnership with the investors, would set
up the factories in the area, this year.
Mr. Ofori said the factory would enhance the agribusiness sector,
with opportunities for women and persons with disability (PWDs).
He said 200 acres of cassava had been planted to serve as raw
materials to feed the factory and that the factory had prompted many farmers to
go into the cultivation of cassava in the district.
He commended the government’s effort in the implementation of
programmes that enhance agriculture in the district.
He noted that since Afram Plains had become the food basket of the
country, people within the district are always happy with programmes that will
enhance agriculture, saying the provision of fertilizers to farmers is a laudable
move.
He commended the government for the provision of tractors and
irrigation machines and others to reduce the burden on farmers.
On Planting for Food and Jobs, he revealed that the production of
maize by farmers had been successful. He called on the government to buy the
maize from the farmers.
He said by the end of the year, the ‘One District, One Warehouse’
initiative would commence operations.
FROM Daniel Bampoe, Tease
