Ayawaso North Municipal Assembly (ANMA) in the Greater Accra Region in collaboration with the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and the Health Directorate of the Municipality have celebrated this year’s farmers’ day.
The Assembly honored some 12 outstanding farmers for their enormous contributions to agriculture within the Municipality. Yakubu Iddrisu emerged the Overall Best Farmer for the area with Lamar Sadat as the 1st runner-up.
This forms part of moves to recognize the dauntless farmers whose immense efforts have contributed towards the feeding of many citizens across the country.
Speaking on the theme ‘Enriching small scale Agriculture towards Agribusiness Development’, the Municipal Chief Executive, Aminu Mohammed Zakari said, Agriculture remains the backbone of the country’s economy, hence, the need to recognize the efforts of the actors of the sector yearly.
He disclosed that though agriculture is the backbone of the economy, about 80 percent of farmers are small scale farmers but with the potential to transform into commercially viable farming when appropriately supported .
He said the government through the District Assemblies is committed to supporting and enriching small scale farmers to boost growth in the Agribusiness Development.
“Government has come up with diverse measures to promote the agribusiness sector which encompasses farming and farming-related commercial activities,” he added.
According to him, a policy that seeks to enrich small scale agriculture towards Agribusiness Development that the Nana Addo led government has promoted is the One District One Factory policy which comes with building of factories in all the 260 districts.
“The aim of the policy is to create jobs for Ghanaians through setting up factories and industries in all the 260 Districts which will, in turn, move the country towards greater industrialization,” he added.
The Municipal Director of Agriculture, Bertha Karbo, stated that the creation of cottage industries for processing or adding value to the food that will lead to reduction in post-harvest losses and enhance the incomes of farmers is under consideration.
Other speakers at the function included the Head of NCCE in the Municipality, Eunice Nkrumah Brown, and the Municipal Health Director, Dr. Quist who delivered messages on the upcoming elections and the prevention of HIV/AIDS respectively.
Other farmers who were honoured on the day are Tanko Mohammed – Best Backyard farmer, Madam Mary Afoley – Best Female Farmer, Prophet Francis Adjei – Best Agro-processor, Sarah Mensah – Best Market Woman, and Amofe Awudu – Best Youth Farmer, among others.
Source: Eric Nii Sackey || erysaco93@yahoo.com