Kwae (E/R), July 14, GNA - Within the past 15 years, the Ghana Oil Palm Development (GOPDC) has been transformed into a nucleus estate of 7,270 hectares and small holder/out grower plantation spanning 13,874 hectares.

The original palm oil mill of 30 metric tons per hour capacity, modelled on the technology of the 1970's had undergone a complete refit and expanded to 60 metric tons per hour. A 60- metric ton per day palm kernel oil mill and a complete new state of-the-art 100 metric tons per day refinery and fractionation plant is the latest investment of GOPDC.

This was made known to a seven-member technical team of the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission on Tuesday, who ended a three-day working visit to the company site. The interactive encounter was facilitated by the Managing Director of GOPDC, Mr Werner Pirijns and Mr Baffour Dankwa, Acting Director of the land Valuation Division.

Ms Anke Massart, Director of Agriculture of GOPDC, who briefed the team about activities at the Okumaning 2010 planting site and related matters, said 460 hectares are expected to be cultivated this year. She said this would be possible after compensation is paid to farmers and property owners who would be affected by the project. GOPDC is expected to pay compensation for 145 buildings and 16 crop farms. Ms Massart said 472 hectares would be cultivated at the Kongo project site and 342 at Kusi.