Nkawie (Ash), March 18, GNA- One of the aims of the government's medium term policies for poverty reduction is enhancing agricultural production for rural development, Mr Stephen Ofosuhene, Atwima District Co-operative Officer has said.

He said in line with this, the government was pursuing increased agricultural production and food security through the establishment of agribusinesses to ensure poverty reduction.

Inaugurating the Asuofuaso Farmers Association at Nkawie on Sunday, Mr Ofosuhene called on the farmers to form co-operatives to enable them to obtain assistance from financial institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) and the government for their businesses.

He assured the farmers that the Agricultural Sub-Sector Investment Project was ready to sell agricultural inputs on credit to co-operative farmers for increased production.

Dr Yaw Akwaa, a private medical practitioner and patron of the association, called for co-operation and understanding among members for the growth and welfare of the association.

He appealed to the government and the Atwima district assembly as well as NGOs to support the farmers to expand their farms. Mr Kwame Mensah, chairman of the association said the formation of the association was in response to the government's policy of encouraging the growth of agriculture. 18 March 04