Rice farmers of Twifo Afosua in the Twifo-Atti-Morkwa District of the Central Region are considering selling their farms to illegal miners if the government does not purchase their rice. The farmers have invested heavily in rice cultivation, relying on bank loans, but lack of buyers had severely impacted their livelihoods. Mr Eric Offei, the leader of the Twifo Praso Rice Farmers Cooperative Union, urged the government to establish a Rice Board similar to the Cocoa and Gold Boards. He emphasised that many farmers were distressed due financial difficulties because of their unsold produce. Mr Agya Yaw, a machine operator at Twifo Nuamakrom, noted that promoting rice farming could reduce unemployment and discourage youth involvement in illegal activities like illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and robbery. He urged the government to urgently go to their aid to forestall any harsh decision they might take. Source: GNA