News:
November 4, 2013
Mr Samuel Ambre , Member of Parliament( MP) for Assin North, has called on farmers not to exploit the labour of school children on their farms.
He said the practice tend to interfere in the education of the children, which is very crucial to the development of the area and the country at large.
Mr Ambre made the call when he launched the Assin Senchem Zone of Cocoa farmers Association at Assin Senchem near Assin Foso.
He commended the Assin Foso Municipal Directorate of Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) Division of Ghana Cocoa Board, for introducing an alternative livelihood programme for cocoa farmers in the area.
The MP said the programme would help the farmers to earn extra income and improve their lot.
Mr Felix Kwame Quainoo, Municipal Director of CSSVD said the alternative livelihood programme was introduced to support the earnings of the farmers and reduce their overdependence on cocoa.
He said the programme would include grasscutter rearing, piggery, poultry production and cocoa seedling production.
Mr Ayiku Tetteh, the extension officer in the area, said among the 400 listed for the programme , 270 have so far benefited.
He said the farmers group has procured 30 acres of land for seedling production next year.