John Dumelo introduces cattle ranch taskforce in Afram Plains

Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, has introduced a new taskforce to help resolve ongoing problems between crop farmers and cattle herders in the Afram Plains.

The Amankwakrom Cattle Ranch Taskforce was introduced in the course of the third edition of the Inter-professional Collaboration for Community Development (ICCD) Summit, organised by the Kwahu Asabi Royal Foundation in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District of the Eastern Region.

Addressing the gathering, Mr John Dumelo encouraged members of the taskforce to work within the legal framework and reconfirmed strategies of the government’s plans to reduce waste after harvesting by setting up processing centres directly on farms. Mr John Dumelo said “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.”

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.

He said “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, which consist of farmer and herder representatives, would collaborate with District Cattle Ranching and Transhumance Committee to to maintain conformity to set protocols.

In his contribution, the Member of Parliament for Afram Plains North, Wolarse Kpeli, praised the Foundation for helping community-led development and urged residents to support the initiative. He stated that “Agriculture is our key advantage here in the Afram Plains and it takes a united community to harness its full potential,” he said. Emmanuel Nyadedzo, the leader of the Anidaso Morkporkpor District Farmers Association, encouraged the District Chief Executive to put in government policies to enable cattle movements and protect farmlands.

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