The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) is to collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to promote pineapple production in the country. Under the arrangement, both ministries would run an out-grower's scheme to strengthen the capacity, as well as encourage private firms engaged in commercial pineapple production to increase yield. The move was to ensure Ghana to become a major exporter of pineapple within the next three years. Mr Mahama Ayariga, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, announced this after inspecting a 3,000-acre pineapple plantation being cultivated by the management of Jei River Farms Limited at Kasoa in the Central Region on Thursday. He was accompanied by Mr Kobina Ade-Coker, Board Chairman of Ghana Export Promotion Centre (GEPC). Mr Ayariga said Ghana had the potential to produce pineapple in abundance to meet the rising demand for the international market. He explained that the visit to the farm formed part of the Ministry's on-going strategy to hold discussions with stakeholders on how best to improve on pineapple production in the country. Mr Ayariga said the Ministry was considering using the large un-cultivated track of land from Kasoa to Cape Coast to implement the programme. He said under the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF), government would provide funds to support companies engaged in commercial production of pineapple to acquire inputs and expand their farms. Mr Otu Boateng, Human Resource Manager of Jei River Farms Limited, conducting Mr Ayariga round the farm, said pineapple producers faced challenges such as high cost of inputs, price volatility, irrigation facilities, which had led to increased cost of production. He appealed to government to institute measures that would lessen the plight of commercial pineapple producers since the industry was viable and could serve as a source of employment for the youth. Source: GNA