This year’s National Farmers’ Day has been launched.
The event, which acknowledges the hardwork of farmers and fishers, is scheduled to take place in Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region.
This year’s event has also been brought forward to October 7 as a result of the elections.
Speaking at the launch on Friday, July 15, Minister of Food and Agriculture Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna made a clarion call to the private sector to partner government to invest in the sector due to the dividends it promises to pays.
“Investing in agriculture is 11 times more efficient in reducing poverty than other sectors,” the former Northern Region Minister pointed out.
“There is no doubt that increased agriculture production can save the country foreign exchange, generate employment and considerably improve food security in the country.”
The event will be the 32nd since its inception.
Fishers will not be left out as they contributed 1.4 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014.
Ghana is said to have a consumption deficit of over 550,000 metric tonnes, largely imported.
Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Benita Sena Okity-Duah called on the youth to venture into fishing as a result of the deficit the country suffers.
“This means opportunities are sill wide for our teeming youth to enter into fish farming especially fish peak production, production of fish such as tilapia, catfish and shrimps.”
This year’s Day will be marked on the theme: ‘Agriculture: A Business Response to Economic Growth’.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr Ahmed Alhassan Yakubu, who is also a Deputy Minister of Agriculture, said the best person will be adjudged on October 7.
“We expect to award a particular farmer whose singular effort introduced a particular variety of yam into northern Ghana and is contributing significantly to the advancement of the crop in the region.”
Deputy Chief of Staff Johnny Osei Kofi launched this year’s Day in Accra.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana
Twitter: @3Newsgh