Source: Ben LARYEA
The 2021 edition of the National Farmer’s Day has been launched in Accra with the call on farmers across the country to scale up their efforts to maximise food security to the citizenry.
The occasion which is the 37th in the series was organised under the auspices of Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Ghana Cocoa Board on the theme “Planting for Food and Job: Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana”.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto commended farmers for their immense contributions towards the economic development of the country adding that food security plays a pivotal role in all human and economic endeavour of the country.
According to him, food sufficiency must be of paramount importance to the lives of the people as well as the country and explained that in the absence of food initiatives and policies, conflicts can erupt, poverty will be on the rise, hunger will have a toll on the people and will impact negatively on food production.
“Agriculture is the backbone of the country’s survival hence food must be provided at all times since its nutritional requirements is needed in the lives of people for a healthy growth”, he said and hinted further that the country have witnessed bumper harvest of food crops throughout the year.
He however expressed the Ministry’s thanks to all corporate bodies and individuals who in diverse ways have supported the yearly event and commended Exim Bank, Agriculture Development Bank and Stanbic Bank for their immense support towards Farmer’s Day celebration.
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson in a speech read on her behalf commended fisher folks in the fish value chain for exhibiting the laid down rules and regulations governing fishing expeditions, adding it has brought sanity in the fishing space.
She therefore urged fishers to refrain from illegal activities that hamper fishing operations saying “the ministry’s doors are always open for discussions on any challenge confronting the industry as well as the needs of fisher folks”.
“The ministry will continue to engage players in the sector and ensure that needed logistics and services are provided to enhance their fishing activities”, she added.
For his part, the Chairman of the Council of State and Paramount Chief of Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, said the event is one of the milestones on the nation’s calendar thus farmers must be celebrated for their contributions towards food security of the country.
“Farmers have created jobs across the country under government flagship programme “planting for food and jobs which have brought significant progress to the food industry”, he said.
He however called on government to put in place measures and structures to entice the youth to go into agriculture and explained that there are changing dynamics in the agricultural industry hence the youth must take advantage of the opportunities and become self-independent in their entrepreneurship drive in agriculture.
The Central Regional Minister, Madam Justina Marigold Assan thanked government for hosting the event in the Central Region, Cape Coast and assured that all stakeholders in the agricultural industry will be given the needed support from the Region.
