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The Central Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong has launched a GH�1.2 million organic Sugar-Loaf Pineapple growing project at Essarkyir in the Ekumfi District of the Central Region. The project which is jointly sponsored by Japan and the Central Regional Development Commission (CEDECOM) is aimed at expanding and improving sugar-loaf pineapple cultivation in order to reduce poverty in the district. The two-year project would assist 277 small holder- farmers in the district to cultivate one- acre pineapple farm each and also create access to export market. The launch was on the theme: �Stimulating High Economic Growth through Pineapple Production.� Mr Sarpong, who addressed a durbar of chiefs and people of the area, commended the Japan the constant support to Ghana and urged the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the funds provided to increase their products as well as improve upon their living standards. He said the money is a revolving fund and so the beneficiaries should make sure it yields the needed profit for others to also profit from it. Mr Sarpong also urged them to take advantage of the project to produce quality pineapples that would meet the international market standards. Mr Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry said government has an agricultural base policy that aims at ensuring the production of the necessary raw materials to feed the nation�s industries. He said pineapple cultivation would be given the necessary boost to increase production so as to meet local and international demands.