Periyar pledges to support rural farmers

Periyar African Foundation (PAF), an Indian non-governmental organisation, has pledged to help improve the social and economic conditions of rural farmers in deprived communities.

The foundation has the objective of empowering rural communities by offering financial and technical assistance to farmers to help bridge the poverty gap between urban and rural communities.
   
President of PAF K.C. Ezhilarasan, speaking at the foundation’s first anniversary celebration in Accra, said the foundation’s objective in the country will be to develop programmes and concepts targetted at enhancing the lives of rural farmers and their communities.

“We are also planning to ensure provision of best irrigation practices for farmers in the Northern Region to help them with their farming activities all throughout the year. This will enable them to earn additional income and improve their daily lives,” he said.

Saalai Manikam, Secretary of PAF, said the foundation will put in place pragmatic measures to address all problems facing farmers in rural communities, adding: “We will provide training to the farmers and ensure a ready market for their produce”.
   
She explained that the foundation decided to operate in Ghana out of all the African countries because of the strong relationship between the two nations. “Ghana is a very good friend to India, and it is our responsibility to help bring development to the doorsteps of rural communities in Ghana.”
   
Manikam indicated that the foundation will spread its wings to other African countries after a successful operation in Ghana, and hoped that Ghanaians will embrace the foundation as it has helped reduce poverty in rural communities in some parts of India. 

The occasion was also used to announce collaboration between Periyar Mamiammai University in India and the University of Development Studies (UDS), to strengthen research and development and eradicate poverty through promotion of education.

The collaboration will focus on exchange of faculty, students, technical collaboration for beneficiary students to pursue further studies in India in various fields of education and development.