The Minister for food and agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, says the decision by his ministry to review its strategy to implement the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II (PFJ 2.0) programme is an innovative and comprehensive approach to increase investment in the sector.
According to him, the programme substitutes direct input subsidy with smart agricultural financial support in the form of comprehensive input credit with provision for in-kind repayment.
At the end of the programme, the ministry hopes to address constraints on productivity, market access and sustainable production.
Speaking at the official opening of the National Farmers’ Day Agrifest- 2023 – in Accra recently, Minister Acheampong assured the nation that productivity at the farm would be increased.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong also revealed that the government had set a target to become self-sufficient in food production within the next five years, through the implementation of Phase Two of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program.
This initiative, launched in October by the president, aims to increase agricultural productivity, create jobs and reduce food imports.
“The institution of National Farmers’ Day is, therefore, recognising Agriculture as a major priority sector in the nation’s development agenda. The event is the biggest statutory obligation that provides the platform to celebrate Ghanaian farmers and fishers for their contribution to the local and national economy”, he said.
The first Friday of December, he noted, would be commemorated with an Awards Night Ceremony at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), where President Akufo-Addo will honor best-performing farmers and fishers.
A total of fifteen (15) distinguished farmers will receive recognition at the Award Night.
The theme: Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience” is appropriate and relevant, as it resonates with the PFJ 2.0 programme aimed at achieving food security in Ghana.
Food security, he argued, required a holistic approach and involves actions targeting enhancing access to high-quality inputs and mechanisation services, efficient and effective delivery of knowledge and advisory services, and structured market arrangements.
“These interventions are also strategic and have proven to be the main drivers for improving the productivity and incomes of food producers, the resilience of food production systems, and the sustainable use of biodiversity and genetic resources.
“It is important to note that we need to increase investments in enhancing agricultural productive capacity through enhanced agricultural research and extension services and technology development. It also requires stronger partnerships with global, regional and national development agencies to capitalise on the synergies of the different programs and interventions.”
Dr. Bryan Acheampong indicated that these interventions are aimed at substantially expanding employment opportunities and achieving higher levels of economic productivity.
39THNational Farmers’ Day – 2023 in Perspective
“The National Farmers Day was instituted by the Government in 1985 in recognition of the vital role farmers and fishermen play in the Ghanaian economy. This was to emphasise the highly commendable output of farmers and fishermen in 1984 (about 30% growth registered), after the bad agricultural years of 1982 and 1983.
“The annual celebration of National Farmers’ Day is here with us. The event is the biggest statutory obligation that provides the platform to celebrate Ghanaian farmers and fishers for their contribution to the economy.
“This event is not just about awards, but a celebration of the entire agriculture and fishing community, from innovative farming techniques to sustainable practices in fishing. The overwhelming consensus around the celebrations attests to the nation’s profound appreciation of the role and contribution of farmers to national development.
“It is important to keep reminding ourselves that farmers and fishers are indeed indispensable in the national economic fortunes. It is hard to imagine our fate without farmers and fishers.
“This year’s National Farmers’ Day Celebration, therefore, provides us with an opportunity to highlight the importance of sustainable agriculture practices, celebrate the contributions of farmers and reflect on the positives, as well as challenges currently impacting the well-being of farmers and Ghana’s agriculture in general.
“The logical response of the ministry under my leadership has been to undertake a diagnosis of the sector. This action has given a full understanding and appreciation of issues that have informed the appropriate course of action for tackling the problems identified, and for enhancing the implementation of interventions.
“Given the above, The Planting for Food and Jobs Phase II (PFJ 2.0) Programme was launched in the Northern Region by H.E. the President in October 2023. This provides an innovative and comprehensive approach building on the successes of the initial/first PFJ campaign.
“PFJ 2.0 takes a holistic view of the value chain approach by focusing on strengthening linkages among actors along selected agricultural commodity value chains and improving service delivery to maximize impact. The programme substitutes direct input subsidy with smart agricultural financial support in the form of comprehensive input credit with provision for in-kind repayment.
The theme for the 2023 National Farmers’ Day
The Theme for this year’s Farmers’ Day Celebration, is ‘Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience”. This is appropriate and relevant to achieving food security in Ghana within the context of an increase in population growth and its accompanying food system issues.
Ghana, like many developing countries, faces challenges in ensuring sustainable food security. The country has to grapple with low agricultural productivity, limited market access and a changing climate.
As a result, it is critical to identify and deliver smart solutions that can enhance the food system’s resilience and ensure sustainable food security.
Mode of Celebration for 2023
The National Farmers’ Day at the National Level in many years was celebrated in a day, this was, however, revised to a 5-Day Agricultural Fair and a Grand Durbar.
The essence was to allow farmers to network with industry players and learn and adopt new technologies, machinery, and research innovations in agriculture.
The fair also offered a business platform for various stakeholders to link up and form partnerships that will ensure the overall benefit of their farm enterprises.
Mode of Celebration 2023
A total of fifteen award categories will receive recognition at the Award Night in Tarkwa, namely:
- Overall National Best Farmer
- 1st Runner-Up National Best Farmer,
- 2nd Runner-Up National Best Farmer
- National Best Livestock Farmer
- National Best Female Farmer
- National Best Physically Challenged
- Farmer Overall National Best Fisher
- National Best Marine Fisher
- National Best Inland Fisher
- National Best Fisher Farmer
- National Best Fish Processor
- National Best Cocoa Farmer
- National Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer
- National Best Most Enterprising Cocoa
- Female Farmer and National Best Shea Nut Picker.
Regional-Level Celebration
Regional Farmers’ Day celebration will continue to be held in all sixteen (16) regions. Accordingly, Regional Ministers will confer regional honours on the best-performing farmers in their region on behalf of His Excellency the President.
There would be five (5) regional award categories per region, namely: The Regional Best Farmer, Regional Best Livestock Farmer, Regional Best Female Farmer, Regional Best Fisher, and Regional Physically Challenged Farmer.
District-level celebration
District-level celebrations are expected to be held in the Two Hundred and Sixty-One Districts (261). District award categories will be three (3) per district, namely: District Best Farmer, District Best Livestock Farmer, and District Best Crop Farmer.
