By Godfred Anku Kaali
Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has inaugurated a new taskforce to help address long-running tensions between crop farmers and cattle herders in the Afram Plains.
The Amankwakrom Cattle Ranch Taskforce was launched during the third edition of the Interprofessional Collaboration for Community Development (ICCD) Summit, organised by the Kwahu Asabi Royal Foundation in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District of the Eastern Region.
Speaking at the event, Mr Dumelo urged members of the taskforce to operate within the law and reaffirmed government’s plans to reduce post-harvest losses by setting up processing centres directly on farms.
“We are trying to bring processing centres onto the farms, so that once you finish harvesting, we can process what is left to generate income,” he said.
The summit, held under the theme “Collaboration for Development,” brought together professionals in agriculture, health, and education to find solutions to local development challenges.
The Chief of Amankwakrom and founder of the Foundation, Nana Otukwa Mpareko VI, said the taskforce would play a key role in easing tensions that have hindered economic growth in the region.
“The cattle-crop farmer conflict has been a longstanding problem that has negatively affected economic activities. We believe the peaceful co-existence of both crop farmers and cattle farmers is possible and can be beneficial for both sectors,” he said.
He added that the taskforce, made up of both farmer and herder representatives, would work alongside the District Cattle Ranching and Transhumance Committee to ensure adherence to agreed protocols.
For his part, the Member of Parliament for Afram Plains North, Wolarse Kpeli, commended the Foundation for encouraging community-led development and called on residents to support the initiative.
“Agriculture is our key advantage here in the Afram Plains and it takes a united community to harness its full potential,” he said.
The leader of the Anidaso Morkporkpor District Farmers Association, Emmanuel Nyadedzo, urged the District Chief Executive to introduce bylaws to regulate cattle movements and protect farmlands.
