Cashew farmers in the Berekum West district of the Bono Region have appealed to the government to remand people who burn their farms to deter others from doing same.
According to the farmers, many farms have been burnt by some individuals and gone unpunished, leaving the farmers to their fate.
During a workshop organised by the MoFA on best farming practices to protect farms, the farmers said remanding culprits when arrested is one sure way of preventing the annual bushfires.
“For someone to cultivate and another harvest, then I will plead with the government that anyone found culpable should be arrested and remanded as desired.”
“We are pleading with the government to task the police and fire volunteers to embark on a bush hunt, anyone caught with fire or cigarette in the farms should be disciplined to deter everyone from cooking on the farm.”
“Our greatest fear occurs during the dry season as we get worried over some burning our farms.”
Some of the farmers also called on the government for assistance as they lack credit facilities and motorable roads to transport their cashew products from their farms.
On his part, the Agric Officer for Berekum West district, Frederick Danso appealed to the farmers to create a fire belt around their farms and practice the good farming practices to protect their farms.
“You have to take care of your farms, till them and create fire belts so that even in the case of bushfire, you will not be much affected.”
He assured with the support of the government and Canadian government, his outfit will ensure a united force among farmers and stakeholders interested in Cashew to strengthen the business and relief the burden on farmers.