More than 350 farmers in the Sekyere Kumawu District of the Ashanti Region have been supplied with 53,000 seedlings of various tree crops as part of the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) flagship programme.

These include 23,000 oil palm and coconut, 20,000 teak, as well as 10,000 mahogany seedlings and it is expected to immensely contribute to rural economic growth and export in Ghana.

At a ceremony held on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 at Kumawu-Wonoo under the theme "Increasing and Diversifying Ghana's Tree Crop Production and Export”, farmers were encouraged to actively get involved in this remarkably important programme.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu Constituency Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim noted this is crucial and timely in the District’s economic growth.

“Tree crops hold the potential to not just improve our local economy but to strengthen Ghana's presence in the global export market. These seedlings represent not just trees, but the foundation of industries, jobs, and the promise of a greener future,” he stated.

He reiterated that “this support is a token of government’s appreciation for your [farmers] indomitable spirit and relentless effort. It is also a call to action – to diversify, innovate, and push the boundaries of what our land can produce.”

The District Chief Executive for Sekyere Kumawu, Samuel Addai Agyekum lauded the MP for the area over his contribution in facilitating the acquisition of these seedlings while noting that “the next phase of the programme is to raise 200,000 oil palm and coconut seedlings for all farmers in the District.”

While advising farmers not to solely rely on external support, the District Director of Agriculture, Francis Kyei also encouraged farmers to approach farming with all the attention it deserves because it is just like any other important business that has the potency of making one’s life better.

Farmers have since extended appreciation to government and all stakeholders for making this initiative a reality.

The Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) programme is a module under the Government of Ghana’s strategic programme for the growth and development of agriculture, “Planting for Food and Jobs” aimed at promoting rural economic growth and improve household incomes of rural farmers.