AGRICULTURE

Asutifi North celebrates farmers

Sumaila Akrugu, 45, from Esinanim was adjudged the overall District Best Farmer in the Asutifi North District.

Date Created : 11/12/2024 : Story Author : Mavis Ofosuah Asante/Ghanadistricts.com

He was honored with a Motor King in addition to NASCO TV Set, 60 Cutlasses, Key Soap, T-shirt, 4 Wellington Boots, a Motorised Spraying Machine, 2 Knapsack Spraying Machine, 2 Wheelbarrow, 10 Cocoa Dying Mats, 10 Basket, 6 Hoe, 4 Go to Hell, 100 Jerry Can, 4 Water Barrel, ND 4 Prunner.

 He thanked the organizers for making this possible and advised the youth to engage in farming, because farming pays.

Mr. Peter Agyapong from Esinanim came 2nd and also took home a motorbike, 2 knapsack Spraying Machines, 15 cocoa dying mats, 10 basket, 4 hoe, 20 cutlasses, 5 go to hell, 50 jerry can/gallon, 5 water barrels, 2 pruners, T-shirt, 6 wellington boots and a motorized spraying machine.

Mr. Paul Boakye, the District Director of Agriculture Asutifi North speaking at the occasion on the theme “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security” said, the theme emphasized on the country’s commitment to adopting agricultural practices that effectively addresses the challenges of climate change.

The introduction of Planting for Food and Jobs (2) by the Government has been of great help to farmers across the district also, two thousand five hundred and sixty-four (2564) farmers have been registered and still ongoing, he added.

He identified prolonged dry periods as one of the major challenges that affected the sector this year causing losses among farmers.

Others include lack of interest by the youth in agriculture, over-aged farmers, high cost of land all of which threaten food security in future.

Mr. Ato Aubynn, (Social Responsibility Manager Newmont Goldcorp Ghana) in his address said Newmont believe in the profound impact of farmers and fisherfolks and have instituted initiatives such as the Agricultural Improvement and Land Access Programme (AILAP) to support project affected to sustain their livelihood and improve agricultural yields.

 Newmont has this year supported seven municipalities and districts in the Ahafo and Bono regions for the farmers’ day celebration with items valued at approximately GHC487,939,000.

 Asutifi North District was supported with 50 Wellington boots, 3 Boxes of Cutlasses, 1 Royal Motor Bike, 110 Newmont Branded Farmers Day T-shirt, 1 NASCO TV Set, 15 GTP Adepa, 10 Bicycles with basket in front, and 1 Motor King (Medium Bucket) all valued GHC 113,602.25.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North Patrick Barnor addressed the occasion by congratulating the President, Nana Akuffo Addo for always supporting farmers and for bringing back Planting for Food and Jobs this year.

He entreated the youth to engage themselves in farming because it is a very lucrative business especially cocoa.

In his address, Hon. Anthony Adjei  Mensah, the DCE for Asutifi North said, the theme is indeed in line with the policy direction of the Government, which seeks for urgent need for everyone to go the extra mile to put adequate measures in place to reach and sustain food security.

 The DCE praised the President of the Country for always supporting the district through agriculture.

“Furthermore, by way of boosting our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through Oil Palm and Coconut Production under the planting for Export and Rural Development Programme, the government through the Free Oil Palm and Coconut Seedlings Project raised 30,000 oil palm and 50,000 coconut seedlings for distribution to 1,124 farmers” he added.