Member of Parliament of the Ellembele Constituency in the western region Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah have urged government to increase the producer price of cocoa to match the increment in fuel and transportation.
This, according him will bring a lot of relief to farmers. The former Minister of Petroleum who was speaking at the 2018 district farmers day celebration at Asomase in the Ellembele district said the high cost of living in the last 24 months of the Akufo-Addo government is giving farming communities a lot of problems.
He said fuel prices have increased seventeen times in 2018 without corresponding increment in the producer prices of cocoa.He said the increment coupled with the bad nature of the cocoa roads is worsening the plight of farming communities.
Read: World cocoa supply surplus to grow in 2019
Mr Armah Kofi Buah therefore urged government to fix these roads so that the cocoa beans can been transported in time to avoid post harvest losses.
He added that, the Ayinase North area in the Ellembele constituency have seen a lot of development since he became the member of Parliament. He mentioned CHPS centres electricity, education, construction of new roads to link the communities and water projects which has brought a lot relief to people.
Read: Government lauded for maintaining cocoa producer price
Mr Buah thanked them for their hard work in spite of the challenges surrounding them and pleaded with government to give the farmers the necessary support.
52 year old philanthropist in the community sponsoring school children and community projects emerged over all best farmer in the district. he has 200 acres cocoa farm,Casava 4 acres,Plantain farm 4 acres,Vegetable 2 acres,Livestock, 2 nika nika machine,30 engine spraying machines and More than 25 workers.
Mr Buah added amount of 2,000 and 1,000 cedis to the first and 2nd farmers respectively.
Source: Jonathan Anyimah Ofori