The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, has refuted claims that the government is only rebranding some existing projects as “One District, One Factory” (1D1F) companies.
Mr Kyerematen at a media encounter in the Ashanti region restated that the programme is not only about establishing greenfield projects, but also the resuscitation of existing but distressed companies.
He said support is also being given to vibrant companies to either expand or introduce new production lines.
The Trade Minister’s media engagement was on the back of President Akufo-Addo’s tour of Darko Farms as part of his visit to the Ashanti region. Mr. Kyerematen said Darko Farms is a testament to the wisdom of the President in extending incentives of the programme to distressed but potentially viable projects.
Darko Farms and Company Limited is the oldest Private and largest Poultry farm established in 1967 with most of its operations located in Akropong in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region.
The Company, however, went through a period of decline due to major challenges confronting the domestic poultry industry, including the high cost of feed, high cost of borrowing, inefficiencies across the value chain, high electricity and operational cost, management and governance issues as well as cheap imports.
As part of the Government’s industrialisation programme, the Company was identified as viable but distressed and considered under the 1D1F programme in 2017.
