The Municipal Chief Executive for the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly, Andrews Sodah says the Assembly in conjunction with the Department of Agric is making frantic efforts to keenly shift agric from being a household activity into a rewarding and prominent economic venture.

He noted that the propelling economic altitudes of the mango industry within the district which has brought glory to them in agro based activities just overnight is a great lesson which ought to be learnt in respect of the potential of agric in the area.

“It is my hope that all the other sectors of the agricultural economy would see such transformation to elevate farmers to become great businessmen” he urged.

This was contained in the address delivered by the MCE during this year’s 29th National Farmer’s/Fishermen’s Day celebrations organized at Akorley, a small community within the district.

The theme for this year’s celebrations was “Reducing post harvest losses for sustainable food security and Nutrition”.

Mr. Sodah stressed that food security is a compelling issue to be addressed in the promotion of agric even as the Food and Agricultural Organization(FAO) has predicted global food demand to increase by 60 percent, a situation which he said called for proactive measures to guard against post harvest losses and boost food security in the system to meet the growing population.

He said post harvest losses pose a great risk to the sustainability of the food we produce, thereby implored all stakeholders in the agric sector including farmers themselves, market women and transport owners to put their hands on deck towards minimizing the losses that occur after harvesting.

On his part, the Member of Parliament for the Yilo Krobo constituency, Hon. Kofi Amoatey expressed delight in the various food items exhibited on the day, urging all farmers to endeavour to improve on their annual yields to guarantee food security in the system.

He promised to continue in supporting farmers with subsidized farm inputs, which ostensibly forms part of his contribution to promote agric in the area, adding that he is seeking to open up this move to benefit more farmers in the district.

A 52 yr old seasoned farmer, Mr. Isaac Adamptey was adjudged the overall municipal Best Farmer in the area and walked home with a motor bike, certificate of honour,5 cutlasses, spraying machine, wellington boot, rain coat, plastic basins, radio set and two pieces of soap.

With about 30 years experience in farming business, Mr. Adamptey is worth large scales of both animal and crop production, which included 25 acres of cassava, 6 acres each of maize and okro,1 acre tomatoes,2 acres oil palm, half acre cocoyam, quarter acre sweet potatoes, 12 cattles,12 goats,26 pigs, 2 sheep and 30 fowls.

Jonathan Jeffrey Adjei/Ghandistricts.com