By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog
Nangodi (U/E), Dec 4, GNA – Cocoa, an unusual cash crop grown in the Upper East Region, was showcased among other varieties of food crops in the Nabdam District during this year’s National Farmers Day.
The exhibition of cocoa shows the efforts being put in by the farmers to innovate and contribute meaningfully to the food basket of Ghana.
Other products showcased were millet, maize, groundnut, sorghum, cassava, sweet potato, rice, and beans at Nangodi, the district capital, where the 38th Farmers’ Day was held.
It was on the theme: ‘’Accelerating Agricultural Development through Value Addition.”
Mr Joseph Adjabui, the Nabdam District Director, Department of Agriculture, acknowledged the determination by the farmers to produce more food despite the inadequate support.
“The district, for the past two years has not benefitted enough from the much talked about government flagship programme; the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), which is anchored on the provision of improved seeds, supply of fertilizers, dedicated extension services, marketing strategy and electronic platform,’’ he said.
‘’Under the provision of improved seeds and subsidized fertilizer, only one input dealer managed to bring into the District 2,000 mini bags of NPK fertilizer and, as such, most farmers had to travel to neighboring districts to obtain the PFJ fertilizers, which affected their production cost.”
Mr Adjabui called for value addition to products to improve quality, and said the Department had trained some selected women groups on value addition to soya beans and orange flesh sweet potatoes.
Ms Agnes Anamoo, the District Chief Executive, said the current global crisis resulting in food hikes called for innovative ways to enhance agriculture and address the food security and unemployment situation in the country.
The capability of agriculture in improving national development, reducing poverty, raising incomes of farmers and improving food security could not be over-emphasised, however the country was yet to explore the full potentials of the sector, she said.
Ms Anamoo urged the youth to engage in farming as government was committed to offering support through the PFJ.
The District Assembly, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, and with support from Cardinal Resources Ghana Limited and Compass Olem Filling Station, gave prizes to 10 deserving farmers.
Mr Bayeta Kiimbey won the Overall District Best Farmer and received a Motor King (Tricycle) and other inputs.
Mr Noorin Moses Brethren won the Crop Best Farmer and Ms Hannah Lardi Bukari won the Best Livestock Farmer.
They received a motor bike and a tabletop fridge, respectively, in addition to farm inputs.
Other winners were Pii Yendoug, Best Sorghum Farmer, and Dok Tii Mary, the Best Rice Farmer.
GNA