ASSOCIATION OF TREE CROP NURSERY OPERATORS INAUGURATED IN WENCHI
Association of Private Tree Crop Nursery Operators (APTCNO) in Wenchi in the Bono Region, under the theme “Promoting Tree Crop Industry in Ghana, the Role of the Nursery Operator”.
The inauguration was to give recognition and officially unveil the programmes and activities of the Association for the immense roles and contributions made towards the development of the tree crop agriculture subsector by the Association and stakeholders. It was also to bring tree crop farmers under one umbrella to improve their welfare and ensure sustainable development of the tree crop sector in Ghana.
The Coordinating Director of the Wenchi Municipal Assembly Douglas N.K Annoful in his speech said the move would provide the platform for registered private nursery operators to participate and benefit from national policy and advocacy discussions on tree crop development. It would also provide the needed atmosphere for effective collaboration with value chain stakeholders. He noted that government recognized the role of the tree crop industry hence the establishment of Tree Crop Development Authority to regulate production, processing, trading and marketing of tree crops such as cashew, mango, coconut, rubber, oil palm, etc.
Mr. Douglas Annoful underscored the importance attached to tree crop farming by the Assembly for which reason it produced and distributed 250,000 cashew seedlings in 2020 and 2021 to 1, 215 farmers under the PERD and Ghana Productivity Safety Net Programme. He called on organizations to support the activities of the operators and urged the operators to take keen interest to realize their goals and objectives.
In an inaugural address delivered on his behalf, the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralization & Rural Development Martin Agyei Mensah Korsah pledged his unflinching support for the Association.
The Association had executives and representatives from the length and breadth of the country in attendance.
Development Partners such as Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA), Cashew Industry Association of Ghana (CIAG) also pledged their continuous support to the operators.
Source: Information Services Department (ISD)
By: Stanick Sofel Amuzu Kpodo