Awutu-Mankessim (C/R), Aug. 23, GNA - Thirty-eight farmers from Awutu Bawjiase and Bontrase areas of the Central Region have completed a one-year training on cassava disease prevention and control at a Farmers' Field Training School at Awutu Mankessim in the Awutu-Effutu Senya District.

It is was designed to ensure high yield of the crop in the area to ensure regular supply to the Bawjiase Industrial Starch Factory under the President's Special Initiative for Cassava.

The farmers were educated on various varieties of cassava namely "ABASA FITAA" "afitiati" and "dech bankye".

Speaking at the passing out on Friday, Mr. G.B. Siilo, District Coordinating Director (DCD), pledged government's determination to assist farmers to play their part in the socio economic transformation of the country.

It was also to equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills in modern farming methods and technology.

He said farming like any other business venture, should be understood and practiced well to ensure good returns, which could be done through the application of the appropriate technology and skills. Mr. Siilo urged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to extend the training to other parts of the district to cover more farmers. The DCD who stood in for the DCE, Capt. Steve Kwamina Armah (rtd), expressed the hope that the youth would take cassava production seriously.

Mr. Silo announced that the District Assembly in collaboration with the Ministry Of Food and Agriculture would establish an Agric Information Centre at Awutu Bawjiase soon to disseminate information to farmers and traders.

He said the Assembly had already committed nearly 11 million cedis to the project.

Dr. Anthony Cudjoe, Deputy Director, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services of the Ministry and the Regional Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Mary Opoku Asiamah, commended the farmers for their excellent performance and advised them to impart the knowledge and skills acquired to their colleagues.

Dr. Cudjoe assured them that their request for Wellington boots and cutlasses and vegetable production would be taken into consideration. He announced that another farmers' field training school would soon be established in the district to bring to cover as many farmers as possible within the next two years.

Mr. Samuel K. Senator, District Director of Agriculture, on behalf of the government expressed appreciation to Mr Emmanuel K. Carr, Managing Director of "Two K" for the establishment of the training school.

He said the District Directorate of Agriculture would intensify collaboration with farmers to ensure that they benefited from the knowledge and skills of extension workers.

Opayin Kabana Okai, a Member of the Awutu Mankessim Traditional Council, appealed to Chiefs in the area to release more land for cassava production to feed the Ayensu Cassava Company "FASCO".