Friday, December 4, 2009, is Farmers' Day and deservingly a public holiday, a day set aside to reward our best farmers and fishermen and recognise the efforts of those who toil to produce what we eat and drink.
The CPP congratulates all the men and women who farm and fish throughout the country and wish them good health, courage and prosperity in the coming year. While we celebrate the efforts of our farmers and fishermen, it is also important to recognise the challenges they face.
The cost of borrowing remains sky high in 2009 with no end in sight. The Agricultural Development Bank which was created with capital from our farmers has gone off course and engaging in non-agricultural lending and when it engages with them does so at high commercial rates. No serious efforts have been initiated by the NPP/NDC Administrations to reduce the cost of borrowing for our farmers and fishermen drastically.
We wish to remind Ghanaians that we have all known all along the need to mechanise agriculture, build irrigation facilities and create a local market for the food we grow and fish we catch. This is what we expect the Mills Administration to work on. In our 2008 election Manifesto, the CPP offered to Ghanaians:
A National Nutrition Policy to promote healthy lifestyles and raise the incomes of our farmers and fishermen;
Develop agricultural infrastructure including fish preservation and processing facilities and irrigation systems;
Strengthen Farmer-Based Organisations to provide easier access to credit; and
Introduce crop insurance schemes, among others.
The CPP in opposition will keep on promoting these ideas in the hope that eventually, they will be adopted by the current administration. We will keep faith with our farmers and fishermen. May the rains fall gently on the fields of our farmers and the sun shine gently on their heads as we work to build the nation together. Happy Farmer's Day!
Ladi Nylander,
Chairman and Leader.
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