ABOUT 5,000 farmers in the Sekyere East District in the Ashanti Region are to benefit from the farmer-based organisations (FBOs) under the second phase of the Millennium Development Authority (MIDA) programme.
The programme is designed to reduce poverty through sustained support for the agricultural sector.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Samuel Konadu, announced this during the inauguration of the district advisory committee and a sod-cutting ceremony for the rehabilitation of schools under MIDA at Ahwerewa near Effiduase.
He said as of now 30 FBOs had been formed under the first phase of the programme with a total of 1,500 farmers sensitised and handed over to a consultant for training.
"Another 45 FBOs are currently being sensitised and it is expected that not less than 2,250 farmers will be mobilised under the phase two for training," Mr Konadu stated.
He said rehabilitation of school blocks had begun in five schools as part of the programme.
The beneficiary schools were Anyinofi Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) kindergarten and primary school, Kumawu Presbyterian Primary School (block B), Ananaagya Methodist Primary (Afram Plains), Seniagya Methodist Primary and Ahwerewa District Assembly primary school.
The Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, Mr Martin Eson-Benjamin, explained that the main goal of MIDA programmes was to reduce rural poverty through agricultural transformation.
He said to achieve success in agriculture and to reduce the incidence of poverty in the farming communities, certain infrastructural services and benefits should be brought closer to the people.
"Good roads, good schools, electricity for commercial use, proper sanitation facilities, good drinking water, irrigation and post harvest facilities must come alongside credit offered to farmers," Mr Eson-Benjamin stated.
He stressed that schools being rehabilitated under phase one of the programme would benefit from additional support in phase two, which was due to start in early 2009.
"Programme funds will be used to construct and furnish entirely new schools. Facilities to be provided include classrooms and furniture, teachers’ quarters and auxiliary facilities," Mr Eson- Benjamin said.
A 26-member district Advisory Committee (DAC) including the DCE, presiding member and the Member of Parliament, was inaugurated to give advice and direction on the millennium projects in the district.
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