Akyiresu (E/R), Nov. 17, GNA - Citrus farmers in the Akuapem South Municipality have appealed to the Government to establish a fruit processing factory in the area to save them from post harvest losses. They claimed that, during harvest time, they do not get market for their oranges and had to leave them to rot. This came to light at a public forum organised at Akyiresu to educate parents on how to increase their income to be able sponsor their children's education.

The forum was organised as part of activities marking the Fifth Akuapem Education Day on the theme: "Beyond BECE, there is Second Cycle." The Day is held annually by the Akuapem Community Foundation, a non- governmental organization committed to the improvement of the standard of education.

The celebration attracted all stakeholders in education in the Akuapem area to brainstorm on the way forward. Reacting to the concerns of the orange farmers, Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo explained that, the Regional Co-ordinating Council aims at promoting the establishment of small- scale farm gate fruit processing units. He said under the programme, farmers would be able to acquire small fruit processing units to process their oranges or mangoes into well- packaged containers for sale. He said because of the seasonal nature of fruit production couple with farm sizes and productivity levels large scale processing factories was often difficult to undertake. 17 Nov. 09