Atia (B/A) July 24 GNA - Nana Appiah Zakaria, Odikro of Atia in Techiman District, has appealed to the Ministry of Lands and Forestry to assist him to develop his 20.2 hectares reforestation project. The Odikro said he had tree species including Wawa, Odum, Mahogany, Asanfra, Frammo, Kokorodua and Emire.

Nana Zakaria, who was the best cocoa farmer for 2002 in the District, made the appeal in an interview with GNA at Atia. He said he initiated the project and another eight-hectare wood lot to improve the environment and the eco-system.

Nana Zakaria requested the Ministry to visit the projects to ascertain "the good work I have embarked on in this area". He appealed to the government to assist him with funds, under the Forest Plantation Development Fund to enable him to complete the projects.

He also asked the government to release the Sawsaw Forest Reserve so that he could intercrop cocoa with valuable tress "since the teak plantation in the area is not enough to prevent bushfires".

Since teak does not promote crop farming, farmers in the Sawsaw Forest have found it not convenient to plant teak trees, the Chief added.

Nana Zakaria called for the re-opening of the Cocoa Services Division (CSD) office in Techiman that was closed down four years ago to serve farmers in the area.