Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), Minister of Food and Agriculture on Saturday said that pineapple exports in the country has increased from 9,000 in 1992 to 35,000 metric tonnes as at last year.

He attributed the remarkable upward trend of the exportation of the commodity to the hard work and initiative of private companies, institutions and farmers.

Major Quashigah said this at the commissioning of a 1.5 million -dollar Tongu Fruits Ghana Limited at Nutekpor-Agorta in the South-Tongu district, under the Free Zone Board programme.

"The efforts of these key stakeholders have culminated in increases in the production and earnings from horticultural crops, particularly, pineapples," he said.

The project, which is being supported by the government of the Netherlands's Programme for Co-operation with Emerging Markets, assists countries in transition towards sustainable market-oriented economy through the promotion of private investment.

It was established about two years ago and has built a fruits processing factory and cultivated a 125-hectare pineapple farm, which is currently exporting 10 tonnes of processed fruits a week and this is expected to double by the end of this year.

Projections for the company indicate that it would process at least 40 tonnes of pineapple and 30 tonnes of watermelon for export on weekly basis from next year when the farm is expected to be expanded to 700 hectares.

Exports would then increase to 100 tonnes a week within the next three years and employ up to 1,000 people.

Major Quashigah said with the introduction of an out-grower scheme by his ministry for local farmers, the project should be regarded as a test model of the people of the area, adding that he was optimistic that the project would succeed in attracting private investment into the rural communities.

The Minister assured the management of the company that his ministry would facilitate the out-grower scheme to enable it create jobs, establish a ready market and processing facilities for export to add value to pineapple.

Major Quashigah said the project was being undertaken at a time when the need to diversify the agricultural base of the economy has become relevant.

The Minister, therefore, reminded the management that the European food industry was under-going radical structural changes resulting in a total shift of power from primary producers and suppliers of goods into the hands of supermarket operators.

Major Quashigah thanked the chief and people of the area for releasing 200 hectares of land for the project and advised other traditional areas to emulate the Agave Traditional Area.

Mr. Kwasi Owusu-Yeaboa, Volta regional Minister who deputised for President J.A Kufour said in pursuit of assisting the private sector in industry, trade and commerce to become an engine of growth and development, state involvement in business and economic activities was being de-emphasised for the provision of basic and crucial social services such as health and education.

He said the government would continue to provide infrastructure, including roads and telecommunication to create an enabling environment for private investment and enterprise.

Mr. Ken Dzirash, Member of Parliament (MP) for the area under whose initiative the project was established, said about 80 per cent of land of the Aveyime Quality Grains Rice project is in his constituency and expressed regret that the project has been saddled with litigation. He hoped that the matter would be resolved soon to enhance the development of his constituency, since he has pledged that his tenure as M.P for the area would be rewarding to the people.

Mr. Den Heiger, Chief Executive Officer of the company thanked the government and the people of the area for making it possible for the project to take off.

He said this is a proof of the cordial relations between Holland and the people of Ghana.

Togbe Azaxie Degenu III, Chief of Agave Traditional Area advised the people not to engage in unnecessary court actions over the land but should consult the chiefs for amicable settlement of disputes, because it is less expensive than the resort to the law courts.