Kumasi, June 11, GNA - The Ministry of Trade and Industry is committed to assisting rural communities to set up their own cottage industries to improve their living conditions.

To ensure the attainment of the objective, every district in the country has been directed by the ministry to look at its raw materials base and set up at least three industries within each district. Mrs Gifty Ohene Konadu, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, said this when she presented a cheque for 100 million cedis to Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister in Kumasi on Thursday. The amount is to support farmers at the Amansie West District towards the planting and cultivation of citronella grass.

She commended the Amansie West District farmers for cultivating citronella and expressed the hope that the raw material would help in producing citronella oil for both export and local consumption. Mr Boafo said it is the policy of the government to support communities to establish cottage industries to provide employment opportunities and boost the incomes of the people.

Mr Ben Kwaku-Adeefe, the acting District Chief Executive, thanked the ministry for the support.

Mr Ohene Barffour Kumi, secretary of the Amansie West District citronella Company Limited, said the company is made up of a total of 370 farmers. 11 June 05