Farmers and other major stakeholders who participated in the Central Region’s celebration of this year’s farmers’ day have lauded CAMFED Ghana for its immeasurable role during the commemoration of the 38th anniversary.
CAMFED Ghana, in collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council, ‘RCC’, organised the regional event which was held at Jukwa, in the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District.
The general theme for the national event, which was meant to celebrate and also acknowledge the immense contribution of farmers and fishers across the country to national development was; “Accelerating Agricultural Development Through Value Addition”
As parts of its role, CAMFED Ghana provided enough shield (canopies) for the programme and additionally mounted branded canopies for the farmers to exhibit their produce. The branded canopies afforded the farmers, who were basically beneficiaries of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme, the opportunity to showcase what they grow to the general public.
Through the kind courtesy of CAMFED, an initiative dubbed the “Farmers” Market” offered some of the farmers the needed opportunity to sell some fresh vegetables to the public, such as cabbage, carrots, potatoes and tomatoes among others.
Additionally the “Farmers’ Market” served as an avenue where a good rapport was created between prospective customers and the farmers, where customers could place a call to farmers to supply them with needed vegetables.
CAMFED basically sought to empower the farmers, especially rural farmers to expand their farms, improve their yields in order to earn more income to improve their livelihoods.
It was also concerned about bridging the existing gap between farmers and producers on one side and marketers, consumers and middlemen on the other side to create symbiotic relations that would be beneficial to both of them.
In the light of this initiative among others, the Central Regional Minister, Mrs Marigold Assan, in her speech acknowledged the significant contribution of CAMFED to the successful organisation of the event.
The Regional Director of Agriculture, Dr Peter Omega, also praised CAMFED and other partners for their valuable roles which immensely ensured that the celebration was colourful. Some of the farmers who spoke to The Chronicle showered praises on CAMFED for their indispensable role which in a way created a form of direct linkage between the farmers and prospective buyers of their produce.
The overall regional best farmer award was won by a Management Consultant, Mr Maxwell Kwame Essibu, from the Twifo Atti Morkwa Distict, who has 25 years’ experience as a farmer. The 49 year old award winner took home a tricycle “Aboboyaa”, a television set, a suitcase, gas cooker, a radio set, weedicide, wellington boots, a piece of cloth, as well as other farming implements and a certificate.
The Regional best fisherman category was won by a native of the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality, Mr Christopher Ackon, while some other 30 farmers were all awarded in various areas and categories.
