Tamale, Aug. 26, GNA - A British non-governmental organisation (NGO), Oxfam GB, on Thursday presented cheques for 113.1 million cedis each to nine of its development partners in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions.

The assistance is to enable farmers in those regions to increase crop and animal production and expand agro-forestry to improve food security and income levels.

The beneficiaries are the Presbyterian Agriculture and Rural Integrated Programme (PARIP) in the Builsa District, Trade Aid in Bolgatanga, Zuuri Organic Farmers Association (ZOVFA) in Bawku East and Partners in Rural Empowerment and Development (PARED) in the East Mamprusi District. The rest are New Energy in the Zabzugu/Tatale District, the Nandom Deanery Integrated Rural Development Programme (Nandirdep) in the Lawra District, Rural Aid Action Programme (RAAP) in the Jirapa/Lambussie District of the Upper West Region and Single Mothers Association in Bolgatanga.

Each of the development partners also received an additional grant of 25.3 million cedis.

Oxfam has also signed a 63 million-cedi agreement with the Integrated Tamale Fruit Company (ITFC) to assist farmers to establish organic mango plantations.

Mr Samson Salifu Danse, Country Programme Manager, signed the contract agreement on behalf of Oxfam, while Mr Dominic Ziniel, Programme Manager of Nanirdep signed on behalf of the development partners.

Mr Prosper K. Hoevi, Market Access Programme Coordinator of Oxfam, said the organisation would spend about 3.1 million pounds in the next five years to support the development partners to facilitate the project in their respective districts.

He explained that Oxfam's role is to provide direction and funding, while the development partners implement the programmes.