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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday launched the "Plant for Export and Rural Development (PERD)" module, which is part of the government's strategic plan "Planting for Food and Employment", focused on the growth and development of agriculture in Ghana.
PERD aims to develop certain export tree crops, namely cashew, coffee, oil palm, coconut, mango and rubber.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative in Dunkwa, Upper Denkyira East District, Central Region, President Akufo-Addo said that PERD offers Ghana opportunities for diversification and new opportunities. sources of income.
The program, he said, would improve the capacity of the Ghanaian economy to generate foreign exchange earnings.
"PERD provides a historic opportunity to address the fundamentals of the economy by increasing the ability to earn foreign exchange through agricultural exports and creating needed jobs."
The President reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the development of selected trees, indicating that the Government was taking the necessary steps to set up the competent institution to regulate the development of trees in the area. country.
"A draft law for the development of the crop sector will soon be approved by the Cabinet, before being submitted to Parliament. Once pbaded by Parliament, the bill will establish the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA). The proposed authority will provide policy guidance and regulation for the development of the sector, "he said.
President Akufo-Addo revealed that, aside from the benefits of diversified revenue streams, the PERD program would link agriculture to industry by providing a solid base of raw materials for industrialization, by developing rural economies and the structural transformation of the national economy.
"The selection of crops in each district depends on the ecological zone. Initial efforts in preparation for PERD have been a resounding success with the establishment of nurseries throughout the country, "he said.
A total of 32,591 hectares of tree crops are expected to be planted in 191 districts in the first year of the program.
The President pointed out that, with the success of various government interventions in the agricultural sector, the PERD initiative, combined with other flagship programs such as "A village, a dam," "A district, a factory" and "A district, The One Warehouse policies together provide a historic opportunity to completely transform agriculture and, by extension, the transformation of the Ghanaian economy.
Other institutional measures, such as the Ghana Commodity Exchange, the Ghana Gending Investment Risk Lending (GIRSAL), the Arboreal Crops Development Authority and the refocusing of the mandate of the Agricultural Development Bank, are under way. deployment to support the transformation agenda. from this government.
The president was convinced that all the initiatives taken by his government would ultimately serve their purpose.
"The overall vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid is not rhetoric nor a political ploy.
"As a government, we are determined, through action, to realize this vision, and today's agenda clearly shows our sincere commitment, with God by our side we will surely succeed." , did he declare.
Source: GNA
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