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AGRICULTURE

Government is proud of farmers - DCE

The Afigya Kwabre South District Assembly has celebrated its farmer's day at Ankaase with the theme "Ensuring Agribusiness Development in the Covid-l9 challenges and Opportunities" to honor and appreciate all farmers and agricultural value chain actors in the district for their enormous contribution towards building of the economy and the country at large.

Date Created : 11/6/2020 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : Susana Danso/Ghanadistricts.com

It was also to reward gallant farmers for their special commitment to feeding the district and mother Ghana.

The District Director of Agriculture Mr. Peter Kwame Amoako in his welcome address revealed that the selection of the best farmers is guided by criteria set by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and award winners do not base on any political, social, economic and religious affiliation.

He added that scale production, be it large, medium or small does not necessarily qualify a farmer or any of the actors along the agricultural value chain for an award. However, the farmer must adopt improved farming technologies to increase yield and improve his/her standards of living among other things.

He advised farmers and other stakeholders who are in or wish to be in agricultural business to seek the technical advice from the staff of the Department of Agriculture, particularly, the Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAS) to enable them to apply improved technology in their agricultural business.

He said adherence to the technical advice from experts by some farmers have been able to increase production per the same area of operation, increase in incomes, and create jobs along the agricultural value chain.

He entreated farmers, traders, processors, transporters, input dealers, and all other stakeholders to take advantage of the country's agribusiness prospects to create more jobs and reduce poverty.

He ended his address by telling the gathering to patronize locally produced foods to boost their immune system to win the fight against the COVID

The Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre South Mr. Owuraku Aidoo also thanked the farmers for the hard work they are doing for mother Ghana and also took the opportunity and thanked the chiefs for supporting and gracing the day.

According to him, implementations of government policy, such as Planting for Food and Jobs have developed and facelifted farming activities.

He said cocoa prices have been increased to help improve the living standards of farmers which shows that the government appreciates the work of farmers and will continue to support them every time.

The MP again said exports in farming goods have been increased and the government will continue to support agribusiness to make it lucrative.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) Mr. Cristian Adu Poku also in his address said, the president of the Republic of Ghana is proud of the farmers and that he will continue to support them in all their endeavors that is why he has established the Farmers Pensions Scheme to be rolled out by next year.

According to him since independence, agriculture has been the backbone of the country's development that is why the government has supported farmers with fertilizers, weedicides insecticides, and other incentives to make it modern.