Nkoranza (B/A) Aug. 12, GNA - The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has under its food crop development project disbursed more than 200 billion cedis to farming groups formed in Nkoranza District to boost food production.

The project supports the cultivation of maize, cowpea, sorghum, groundnuts and soya beans.

Mr. Joseph Lan Dorsaa, agricultural extension officer of the Ministry in the district announced this at a meeting of heads of department at Nkoranza to welcome the new Chief Executive, Mr. James Appiah-Awuah into office.

He said the project was begun in the area about three years ago and a number of farmers were receiving support in the form of agricultural inputs and credit facilities to enhance their activities.

The extension officer added that the Adventist Development and Relief Agency had collaborated with the Ministry to establish a 260- acre mango plantation in the district and the fruits will be processed.

Mr. Dorsaa expressed regret that the beneficiaries of the support were not paying back as expected and called on Assembly Members to educate the people to honour the obligation promptly to be able to continue to receive the support.

Mr. Alfred Attah-Yeboah of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) called on the District Assembly to support the fire volunteers in checking bushfires in the district.

He said in a bid to improve the living standards of the youth in the area, the organisation's national secretariat had assisted five disaster volunteer groups to cultivate a total of 40 acres of maize farms.

The NADMO official expressed gratitude to agricultural extension officers at the district MOFA office for their technical advice and support to the farmers.

Mr. Attah-Yeboah said a tree nursery project would be established to prepare seedlings for supply to communities, schools, churches and individuals for planting aimed at helping to abate the effects of rainstorms.

Mr. Osumanu Gibrila, Nkoranza Branch Manager of Agricultural Development Bank said the bank had been granting loans to workers and a number of tobacco farmers for supply to the British American Tobacco Company.

He mentioned a package for workers, specially heads of department, who wish to own means of transport and asked those interested to contact the bank for the facility.

Mr. Raphael Alorwu of the National Service Secretariat expressed gratitude to the heads of department for the harmonious working relations with personnel posted to their organizations.

Mr. Appiah-Awuah called on the people to unite and exchange ideas to advance the development of Nkoranza.

Mr. Akwasi Owusu-Sekyere, Project Officer of Fiagya Rural Bank in Nkoranza called on the Assembly to arrange for a sitting Magistrate at the District Court for the prompt attention and settlement of cases.