Don’t release farmlands to illegal Miners -Dunkwahene pleads with cocoa farmers

The Chief of Dunkwa-on-Offin, Okofrobuor Obeng Nuako III has cautioned cocoa farmers against any intentions to release their farmlands to illegal miners in the face of the recent reduction of cocoa prices by the government.

According to the chief, much as the reduction in Cocoa Price is worrisome, releasing the farmlands to illegal miners would adversely affect the livelihood of people in the communities in the long run.

He noted that such intentions might give them some short term reliefs only to suffer the long term devastating effects on the entire community.

Speaking to The Chronicle, Nana Nuako expressed the view that selling of the Farmlands to the illegal Miners should not be encouraged in any form, because once the lands are destroyed by the illegal Miners, no farming activities could take place on such lands thus depriving them of livelihood besides exposing the community to health hazards.

He noted that until such lands are properly reclaimed, which takes a longer time, no profitable agriculture venture can take place thereon.

The Dunkwahene pleaded with farmers to exercise restraint in taking hasty decisions while the government takes steps to address the situation brought about by global market trends.

He pleaded with the government to subsidise prices of farming inputs, chemicals and weedicides as an incentive to farmers who are hard hit by the reduction of Cocoa Price to encourage them in their resolve to stay committed to farming.

Nana Nuako also advised the government not to disregard the contributions and efforts of farmers to national development.

He noted that no matter the level of farming, be it subsistence farming, large scale farming, cash crop or foodstuffs, farmers contributions are the backbone of the economy and must be duly recognised by the government.

 

 

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