National Farmer's Day celebration launched

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon Kwesi Ahwoi has commended farmers and fishers on their good work in the agriculture sector.

The Hon Minister said the National Farmer's Day celebration, which takes off on the first Friday of December, is to honour deserving hard working farmers and fishermen who contribute to the development of agriculture in Ghana.

He said this at the launched of the 25th National Farmer's Day celebration, last Tuesday, in Accra, dubbed: “Accelerated Agricultural Modernisation for Food Security and Economic Transformation.”

Mr Ahwoi assured farmers that his Ministry is improving access to seed and other planting materials, farm and agro- processing machinery and irrigation equipment to help the farmers and fishers to do their work effectively.

He noted that government has set itself the objective of rapidly modernising the agricultural sector as a vehicle for improved food security, accelerated job creation, especially for the youth as well as to enhance the quality of life for the farmers and fishermen through higher rural incomes.

Additionally, government intends to undertake the youth in agriculture programme together with the School Farm Project where ten Agricultural Institutions have been identified to submit proposals.

Mr Ahwoi said, government has already initiated a number of strategies including the provision of fertiliser to reduce cost of production and increase agricultural production and productivity.

The Sector Minister noted that one of the challenges confronting Ghana's agriculture is characterised by subsistence and small holder production with poor linkages between agriculture and industry leading to uncompetitiveness in production processing and distribution.

He believes that modernising agriculture will address these challenges, and it holds the key to a strong economy for real job creation.

Dr Kwabena Duffour, Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, asserted that agriculture provides food; raw materials for our industries and it also serve as the backbone of Ghana's economy.

Hon Hannah Tetteh, Minister for Trade and Industry, also called on all Ghanaians to support this celebration in their own small ways, to appreciate farmers and fishermen for a good work done.

Mr Ben Yaw Atuahene, Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), also said, ADB will support this year's silver anniversary with a three bedroom apartment fully furnished for the over-all best farmer.