By Samuel Ackon
Assin Kruwa (C/R), Nov 11, GNA – The Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South Constituency, said the government is committed to the growth of the agricultural sector, which is evident in various agricultural initiatives being rolled out in Ghana.
He said the various initiatives are aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, increasing farmer income and ensuring national food security.
Planting for food and jobs, one of the initiatives, had really gained and changed the fortunes of farmers and undoubtedly progressing steadily, Rev Fordjour stated.
Some initiatives, he pointed out demonstrated that the government was really focused on empowering farmers, improving livelihoods and driving economic growth.
He made the remarks at the Farmers Day Celebration at Assin Kruwa in the Central Region on the theme: “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security,” underscoring Ghana’s commitment to adopting agricultural practices that address climate change challenges.
The overall best farmer was won by Mr Francis Amissah, who was given a tricycle, two knapsack spraying machine, six cutlasses and six wellington boots.
Others were Mr Samuel Kwabena Mensa, best crop farmer who had a fridge, two knapsack spraying, three cutlasses and six wellington boots.
Mr John Akyen was adjudged the best physically challenged farmer and was given a fridge, two knapsack spraying machine, three cutlasses and six Wellington boots.
The MP congratulated the award winners and wished them well in all their endeavours.
Mrs Felicia Ntrakwah Amissah, District Chief Executive (DCE), announced that under the planting for food and jobs phase-two, the district received a grant of 180 bags of fertilisers for farmers, 860 bags of fertilisers for the vulnerable farmers and 150 bags of 6,000 kilogrames of rice seeds for rice farmers.
In addition, she said the district received 78,392 oil palm seedlings for those in alternative livelihood project, 10,000 palm seedlings and 1,000 mango seedlings from Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA).
She gave credit to all farmers, fisher folks and value chain actors who had embraced the policy and leveraged opportunities created by the enabling environment for agricultural development.
Through the efforts of the District Assembly, those engaged in aquaculture received 50 pieces of tarpaulin, 50 pieces of plumbing fittings, 300 bags of fish feed, and 53,500 catfish fingerlings among others to boost fish farming.
The DCE congratulated the awardees and wished them well.
Mr Rasford Afari Obeng, District Agric Officer, admonished the youth to take advantage of the phase two of the planting for food and jobs programme to get themselves involved for a better future.
The event was graced by the chiefs and the traditional council, the clergy and departmental heads of the District Assembly.
GNA