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Frank Yeboah Unleashes Multi-Million-Cedi Rice Mill to Transform Farming in Atwima Nwabiagya North
Atwima Nwabiagya North MP says mechanisation is key to boosting rice production,securing food supply and making farming attractive to Ghana’s youth
By:Justice Baffour Awuah/DailyWatchGH.com
The Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya North Constituency, Hon.Frank Yeboah,has intensified his efforts to transform agriculture in the constituency with the provision of a modern rice milling machine worth millions of Ghana cedis to support local rice farmer groups.
The initiative,organised under the theme “Mechanising Our Harvest, Securing Our Future:Empowering Rice Farmer Groups for Food Security and Prosperity,”is aimed at improving rice processing,reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing the incomes and livelihoods of farmers in the constituency.
The intervention is also expected to promote agricultural mechanisation and encourage more young people to consider farming as a viable business and career opportunity.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony,Hon.Frank Yeboah said agriculture remains one of the major drivers of Ghana’s economic development and therefore requires deliberate investment and sustained support.
He stressed that farmers cannot be expected to significantly increase food production when they continue to depend heavily on traditional and labour-intensive methods of farming and processing.
According to him, providing farmers with modern equipment is essential to improving efficiency, reducing production costs and increasing the value of agricultural produce.
Hon.Yeboah said one of his major priorities as Member of Parliament is to ensure that farmers within the constituency receive the necessary support and resources to increase production and improve their economic conditions.
He noted that the development of the agricultural sector would not only enhance food security but also create employment opportunities,particularly for the growing number of young people in the country.
MP Calls for Youth-Focused
Farming Initiatives
The MP appealed to the government and other relevant stakeholders to introduce innovative and attractive programmes aimed at encouraging the youth to venture into agriculture.
He observed that although agriculture has enormous potential to generate wealth and employment, many young people continue to perceive farming as a difficult and less-profitable occupation.
Hon.Yeboah therefore called for deliberate policies and initiatives that would make modern farming more attractive to the youth through access to technology,affordable financing,modern machinery,training and ready markets for farm produce.
He stressed that Ghana’s long-term food security could not be guaranteed without attracting a new generation of young people into agriculture.
Beneficiaries Urged to Maintain Equipment
Hon.Frank Yeboah further urged the beneficiary rice farmer groups to take ownership of the machine and develop a strong culture of maintenance to ensure its sustainability.
He cautioned beneficiaries against misuse or neglect of the equipment,stressing that proper maintenance would extend the lifespan of the machine and allow more farmers to benefit from it.
He encouraged the groups to establish proper management and maintenance arrangements to ensure that the equipment remains functional and continues to serve its intended purpose for many years.
The MP said the intervention should not be viewed merely as the provision of machinery but as an investment in the future of agriculture and the economic wellbeing of farmers within Atwima Nwabiagya North.
Boosting Local Rice Production
The provision of the rice milling machine is expected to address some of the challenges confronting local rice farmers, particularly at the post-harvest processing stage.
With access to modern processing equipment,farmers are expected to spend less time and resources on milling while improving the quality and marketability of their rice.
The initiative could also contribute to reducing post-harvest losses and increase the economic value of rice produced locally.
Hon.Yeboah reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote agricultural development,food security and economic empowerment in the constituency.
He expressed the hope that the intervention would serve as a catalyst for increased rice production and encourage more residents,especially the youth,to see agriculture as a profitable venture capable of providing sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote mechanised agriculture and strengthen local food production,at a time when Ghana continues to seek ways of increasing domestic production and reducing reliance on imported food commodities.
