The Ministry of Agriculture has received about 30 million dollars worth of farm machinery from the Brazilian government.

The Sector Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto addressed the media at the launch of some tractors and other machinery received under the agreement.

The 30 million dollars worth of machinery forms part of the last tranche of the $96-million deal under which the Brazilian government supplies tractors to Ghana under South-South cooperation.

Addressing the media, the Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto said the last tranche will focus on harvest, post-harvest and value addition – a decision that seeks to enhance the work of smallholder farmers.

The Minister also revealed that the Brazilian facilities will be sold to farmers at a subsidized cost of 40 percent.

Some farmers who are beneficiaries of the farm machinery module of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme also expressed their satisfaction with the government’s initiative, which they describe as a step in the right direction and has also increased yield for a period of time now.

The entry of the Brazilian facilities forms part of the fifth module of the planting for food and jobs programme

Story by:Kwaku Stephen