By Precious D. Freeman
The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has distributed several farming equipment to two hundred local farmers in the country.
The donation program was held at the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the MOA in Gardnersville, over the weekend.
Those beneficiaries of the massive distribution include farmers from Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Lofa, Bomi, and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
The equipment which are to ease the work of the farmers to graduate to a more modern form of farming include: landa super, butachlor, plant-D, glyphosate termitester, imidacloprid, granite, mancostar, samaclo,fertilizer, rain boots, Ricemill, Power tiller, Water pump, Tractors, Fertilizers, Safety gears, Agro chemicals among others.
Speaking at the program, the Acting Minister for Agriculture, Robert Fagans who was accompanied by other high ranking officers of the MOA told farmers that it is the government’s way of providing the requisite types of equipment intended to boost production.
According to the Minister, the government has decided to alleviate farmers from the traditional farming methods to a more mechanized process.
“We are bringing state of the art equipment which is fortified. We have a de-turner which will be able to separate rice from rocks,” the Minister said.
She warned farmers to desist from the criticism of government who have made efforts in providing for its citizens involved in farming activities.
The Minister revealed that farmers have experienced post-harvest of spoiled rice due to lack of proper rice processing equipment.
“We want to support the initiative of processors and producers of rice. We want you to understand that these equipment should be used for a specific purpose,” she intimated
If you are given a rice processing machine, let it be used for processing rice and give value to the rice that you are processing.” she mentioned.
“This year, we are doing our best to provide equipment for these farmers and we want to complement their efforts,” she added.
The Minister further noted that for the sector to get on track and produce more food, farmers who have received the equipment should work with other local farmers who don’t have.
“Those of you who will receive the equipment have to work very hard because there are small holder-farmers around you who cannot afford to maintain the machine.” Support them and let them provide rice around you and support the meal,” The Minister warned.
According to him, the equipment were purchased from the World Bank Funded Project, STAR P, adding that the event is a continuation of similar distribution to farmers and cooperatives comprising the physically challenged women and youths in nine counties including Rivercess, Grand Bassa and Sinoe.
“These donations are in fulfillment of President George Manneh Weah’s commitment to see the migration of smallholder farmers, change from subsistence to mechanized farming,” she said.
Meanwhile, the farmers promised to use the equipment for the intended purpose, adding that if the government should continue supporting them, then the importation of pepper and other crops will be curtailed.