Binduri (UER), June 19, GNA - Thirty farming groups in four communities in the Bawku municipality of the Upper East Region have been supported with a variety of farming inputs worth over A2500m by Oxfam GB a British Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). The inputs, which are on credit are 10 bullocks and ploughs, 25 donkeys and carts, 100 small ruminants, 1,222 pieces of machetes, and 816 pairs of Wellington boots.

The rest included 100 knapsack sprayers, 10 poly tanks, 50 watering cans, 35 raincoats and a shear butter-processing machine. The beneficiaries are to pay 50 per cent of the inputs in instalment for a four-year period for other needy farmers to enjoy the facility.

The aim of the initiative is to improve the food and income security of farmers by increasing crop, animal and agro-forestry production through proper farming practices. The communities are Zuuri-Komnatenga, Zaago, Poayamire and Narang-Saag.

The programme dubbed, "Integrated Livelihoods", is being replicated in six other districts in the three northern regions in partnership with local NGOs will end in April 2009. Speaking at the presentation, the Country Programme Manager of Oxfam GB, Mr. Salifu-Samson Danse, said the provision of requisite modern equipment and materials to the agricultural sector was the surest way to move the country towards its development goals. He urged Ghanaians to show patriotism by buying and using local materials and food items to ensure that the country was truly an independent state.

Mr. Danse called on other development partners and the government to increase financial and technical assistance to the agricultural sector to reduce subsistence farming.

This would enable farmers to undertake large-scale production and eliminate over-dependence on foreign goods.

Mr. Philip Ayamba, Programmes Manager of Zuuri Vegetable Farmers Association (ZOVFA), the local implementing partner of Oxfam GB, said the gesture was to alleviate the suffering of farmers in ensuring food security in country.

He urged the leaders of the various groups to use the facilities given them for the intended purpose and to render proper accounts to ensure that others also enjoyed the facility to reduce poverty. Mr. Seidu Braimah, on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked Oxfam GB and ZOVFA for the support and promised to work harder to reap the returns so that the idea behind the support was not be defeated.