38th Farmers Day Launched In Koforidua

The Agric Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto officially opened the 38th National Farmers Day Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in the Eastern regional capital, Koforidua. It climaxes on Friday, December 2, at which the New National Best Farmer will be named and decorated by President Akufo Addo.

The opening of the four-day event was characterized by food and agricultural-related products exhibition, cultural displays and fanfare. The theme for this year’s celebration is the acceleration of agriculture through value addition.

Other personalities who graced the occasion were, the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mr Moses Anim, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Acheampong and, the Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng.

The three gentlemen spoke about the facets of agriculture in Ghana. They were unanimous in their view that the way to go for Ghana is processing to add value to agricultural produce. It enhances nature, returns on the produce, shelf life and reduces post-harvest losses.

The products on exhibition included tubers, cereals and food proteins that are powdered and attractively packaged. Seeds, oils, animal feeds, and light agricultural tools were also put on display. Beneficiaries of gender action systems spoke about their enhancements from capacity-building programmes.

BUFFER STOCK

The National Buffer Stock Company also stores the excess of non-perishable cereals such as maize, rice, soya, sorghum and millet which remain outstanding at its sales points. The stocks are to be released only when there is a critical food crisis in the country. For Now, Ghana is awash with foods but prices continue to soar on the backs of petroleum price hikes and the rather expensive haulage between farm gates and urban centres. This situation prompted the sector ministry to run parallel haulage to its novel markets in the city of Accra where yam and plantain are sold.

The success of the experiment has elicited calls for replication in other areas experiencing biting inflation. The alternative markets run by officialdom bear no marks of profiteering as prices are reasonable.

GASIP

The Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme, GASIP, has also opened an exhibition stand where its officials are hoisting the success of the programme.

A woman from Dzodze in the Volta region who is a GASIP beneficiary hinted that the support had improved her business such that she is not only processing for value addition and earning higher income but is also positioned as a trainer of trainers in Ketu North district.

GASIP is a special intervention for smallholder farmers jointly sponsored by the Government of Ghana and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD. The farmers are assisted with tractors, seeds, fertilizers and extension services. Recently, their operations have been incorporated with value addition and commercialization of agricultural produce.