Mr Prosper Kumi, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has commended efforts of Ghanaian farmers, describing them as the backbone of the country’s economy.
He said farmers sustained households, provided raw materials for industry, created employment and contributed significantly to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Mr Kumi speaking at the 41st Farmer’s Day Celebration at Gbledi Chebi in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region, said agriculture supported majority of households through the efforts of crop farmers, vegetable growers, livestock keepers, fisher folks, processors and traders who kept the local economy vibrant and resilient.
He said the event was therefore held to salute the hard work, perseverance and patriotism of farmers without whom there would be no food and national development.
Mr Kumi said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government had set in motion, bold policies aimed at transforming agriculture into a modern, technology-driven and wealth-creating sector.
He highlighted initiatives such as the expansion of the National Food Security Programme, modernisation through Mechanisation and Technology, support to Cocoa and Tree Crop farmers, “Nkoko Nkiti Kiti” and improved access to markets and value addition.
Mr Kumi said the initiatives would significantly lower the impact on lives of citizens as well as the economic development of the nation.
He noted that there were poultry farmers and youth groups being identified to enroll in programmes such as “Nkoko Nkiti Kiti,” initiative.
Madam Sandra Ofori, Hohoe Municipal Director of Agriculture, said the year had been very good in terms of fair distribution of grains in all farming communities leading to abundance of food.
She said there was the need for investment in innovative processing and storage facilities as well as the use of market information in food production.
Madam Ofori said the Agriculture Department was in talks with other institutions to help introduce vegetable production back into communities to help in diversifying traditional staples.
She said buffer harvest of all crops across the Municipality was not only the effort of the farmers but effective extension delivery, which contributed about 40 percent to the success.
Madam Ofori said it was therefore imperative for the Department to be supported with logistics to be able to maintain the pace.
She said establishing an agricultural mechanisation centre would go a very long way to solve some of the problems in accessing machines to support farmers.
Madam Ofori commended the Hohoe Member of Parliament (MP) for supporting farmers with farm inputs while also commending farmers who were recognised for their hard work in various areas of agriculture.
Mr John Dogbey, a 50-year-old farmer from Glebi Chebi was adjudged the overall best farmer.
He expressed gratitude for the recognition and commended the Hohoe MP for his recent support for farmers with fertilisers and farm machinery.
Mr Dogbey called on the youth not to shy away from farming since it was not reserved for a particular group of people.
The event was on the theme: “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future”.
