By DANIELA NEBA NGUM
Three 7hsp tractors worth FCFA 60million have been handed over to officials of the Meme Pineapple Agropole in Kumba by the government through the Ministry of the Economy Planning and Regional Development.
The handing over ceremony which took place on May 18 at the Mukete Estate head office saw the presence of high personalities in Meme Division.
According to the National Coordinator of Agropole program, Adrian Ngo’o Bitomo, the government always fulfils its promises. He noted that when he came to Kumba to launch the program in December 30 he realized that the Estate was in need of more tractors to improve on the tones of pineapples they produce yearly.
The National Coordinator called on them to make good use if the machines so as to improve from their usual 1,200 tons per year to the target 8,260 tones of fruits.
He said the next step is to build a factory where the pineapple fruits can be processed to produce pineapple juice like in other parts of the world.
He further disclosed that Agropole is out to promote and assist those who produce other crops such as cocoa, rubber, palms, cassava and a host of other crops which are being produced in the Southwest Region.
Earlier, the Government Delegate to the Kumba City Council, Victor Ngoh Nkele said the handing over of tractors for the production, processing and marketing of pineapples in Kumba comes after the launching of the Meme Pineapple Agropole in Kumba on December 30, 2016.
The government Delegate noted that the pineapple project will provide jobs for youths as well as enhance the living standards of the population.
He called on individuals who grow cash crops like cocoa and rubber to emulate the same example.
Meanwhile the representative of members of Agropole Project, Barrister Jonas Mbi said the tractors will go a long way to reduce cost and the time spent plowing before planting the seeds.
On his part the SDO for Meme Division, Chamberlain Ntou’ou Ndong appreciated the kind gesture on his population. He promised to make sure the gift serves the purpose for which it is intended.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, high personalities who came for the handing over of those tractors all scrambled for snapshots with the venerable Senator Nfon V.E Mukete.
Most of them meeting him for the first time said it is a great pleasure to have a photograph with the Paramount ruler of the Bafaws and Chief of Kumba.
The Government Delegate to the Kumba City Council, Victor Ngoh Nkele said the handing over ceremony of those tractors is also a tribute paid to Senator Nfon V. E Mukete the founder of Mukete Estate Limited.