As part of efforts to encourage farmers benefiting from the “Sustainable Community Empowerment and Economic Development Programme (SEED)" on oil palm farming, Abosso Goldfields Limited (AGL)- Damang mine, has rewarded 250 farmers for their hard work.

The award winners received oil palm inputs such as fertilisers, spraying machines and weedy-sites as their prizes.

Speaking at the function, Mr Robert Siaw, Sustainable Development Manager of Goldfields Ghana, said in November 2005, the company instituted the five- year SEED programme, under which primary stakeholder communities were assisted in various interventions.

He said the strategic objective of the agricultural component was to provide economic development opportunities for individuals and groups in their catchment communities.

Mr Christo Viljoen, General Manager of AGL- Damang Mine, said more than GH¢97,000 was spent on the awards, adding that, the objective was to reward committed farmers for their efforts in the past year and also to motivate them to continue to excel.

He said the company has plans to train the farmers in harvesting, marketing, financing and credit management, since most of them have started harvesting the palm fruits.

Mr. Viljoen said, an oil palm processing plant would be set up in the communities to process the palm fruits of the farmers in order to generate higher income.

He said the company would continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to improve on the provision of agricultural extension services in the communities.

The company also used the ceremony to donate sanitation items worth GH¢9, 0000 to the Water and Sanitation Committee in Damang to enable the members to work effectively.**