Former President John Dramani Mahama is reported to have commissioned a cassava processing factory in Kintampo last Friday as part of his three-day tour of the Bono East Region.
According to him, as reported by his campaign team, the factory will ensure a real transformation for the agriculture sector by increasing the earnings of farmers and creating more jobs.
Addressing a gathering of chiefs and people after commissioning the factory, Mr Mahama said promoting agri-business will be a top priority in his next government.
As part of the agric sector transformation plan, the NDC flagbearer said the name of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture will be changed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-business to reflect the special emphasis on creating more business opportunities for farmers.
He explained that under the plan, the government will set up agric mechanisation centres with modern farming machinery to make the work of farmers easier and more attractive to the youth.
He added that farmers will then be able to access the services of the agric mechanization centres at cheaper rates or on credit and pay after harvesting their crops.
He said the next NDC government will create crop processing zones where smaller factories will be established across the country to help process farm produce and reduce post-harvest losses.
Mr Mahama said his next government, in line with the 2020 manifesto of the NDC, known as the People’s Manifesto, will establish a Cashew Development Board to promote the interest of cashew farmers.
He said his government will also establish cashew processing plants in the Bono and Bono East regions to process cashew nuts for the export market.
Mr Mahama therefore urged the electorates to vote for him in the December 7 presidential elections to enable the NDC implement its manifesto plan, which seeks to create a quarter of a million jobs every year for the next four years as well as invest $2 billion annually over a five-year period to create opportunities for local businesses and stimulate economic growth.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana