The Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with TIAST Co-operation, a Chinese company, to add value to agric, in an effort to create jobs and ensure food security.
The agenda forms part of government’s five-year master plan for Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) phase 2, which was launched this year and expected to transform the agricultural sector of the country.
This was revealed by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Henry Quartey, during the 39th National Farmer’s Day held on Friday, 1st December, 2023 at Kpone Bawalashie, in the Kpone Katamanso municipality.
The theme for marking this year’s farmers’ day was: “Delivering Smart Solutions for Food Security and Resilience.”
He said the five-year master plan stands for the renewal of agriculture in Ghana and represents a new trajectory that replaces the old input subsidy program with the new input credit scheme.
According to him, this vision will survive on smart solutions and encompass a range of strategies, from the adoption of modern technologies to the implementation of sustainable farming practices.
He added that the theme for this year’s celebration underscores the need for innovative and sustainable approaches to agriculture.
He argued that precision agriculture, involving the use of data-driven insights, irrigation systems, early maturing varieties that are drought tolerant, incorporating the use of organic compost fertilizers and effective weed and insect pest management are few examples of how technology can revolutionise agriculture in the region.
“These innovations not only enhance efficiency, but also contribute to environmental sustainability”, he said.
Resilience in agriculture, he noted, goes beyond technology and involves building strong and supportive communities, investing in the education and training of our farmers, and creating robust supply chains that can withstand external shocks.
He added that the government was committed in providing the necessary infrastructure and support to ensure that farmers have the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
To ensure that the region benefitted from the programme and the new partnership entered into by the RCC, farmers were urged to contact their District Agric offices for assistance.
Minister Quartey described the occasion as a testament of the hard work and dedication of farmers, as well as their commitment to ensuring food security and building resilience in the face of challenges.
He said it has become imperative for the country to seek agricultural transformational solution, as the world is marked by rapid changes, climate uncertainties and evolving technologies that can address the complex issues surrounding food production and distribution.
The regional minister thanked the farmers for making agriculture the backbone of the economy and providing livelihoods for a significant portion of the population.
Hudson Asamani, Greater Accra Regional Agric Director, added that the farmers’efforts to produce food providephysical, cultural and spiritual needs of the region.
According to him, festivals in the region, such as Homowo and Ngmayem, are all about agriculture and food production.
He said the National Farmers Day is held each year on the first Friday of the Month of December, to honour our gallant farmers and fishers.
This year, the award categories are as follows; Overall Regional Best Farmer, Regional Best Livestock Farmer, Regional Best Female Farmer, Regional Best Physically-Challenged Farmer, Regional Best Second Cycle Institution into Agriculture and Regional Best Food Processor, Regional Best Fisher, Regional Best AEA (Agriculture) and Regional Best AEA (Fisheries).
Additionally, the Municipal award scheme has been limited to three categories – Municipal Best Farmer; Overall Municipal Best Livestock Farmer and Municipal Best Crop Farmer, but later revised to nine.
He congratulated the awardees, since agriculture still remains the fuel that powers all activities in the region, providing several agribusiness opportunities to countless number of people.
“As a people, let us pledge to support our home-grown Agribusinesses (food crop farmers, Tree Crop farmers, fish farmers, and livestock farmers) by patronizing their Made-in-Ghana foods,” he said.
The Greater Accra best farmer was given to 54-year old Evans Drah from Korlekope in the Ada East District.
He has 36 acres watermelon farm, 50 acres mango farm,5 acres bell pepper farm, 10 acres chili pepper farm, 30 acres onion farm, 34 acres tomato farm and 50 acres coconut farm.
Mr. Drah also has livestock; cattle-120, sheep-60, goat-25 and birds-80.
The best farmer was gifted 5 Cutlasses, 3 Wire Mesh, 1 Water Hose, 2 knapsack sprayers, 5 Shovels and 5 Wellington boots.
Other items he received were 1 mattress, assorted items, 2 boxes of street light, axe, wheelbarrow and 2 boxes of nails among others.
The Greater Best farmer was grateful for the acknowledgement and thanked the organisers for the award.
He used the occasion to encourage the youth to also venture into agriculture as a sustainable business.
