By Erica Apeatua Addo
Tarkwa Banso (W/R) Dec. 6, GNA – The 41st Farmers Day Celebration in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality has been observed at Tarkwa Banso on the theme: “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the future”.
This year, 25 farmers, agricultural extension agents, farmer-based organization, first and second cycle schools were recognized for their outstanding performances.
Mr. Thomas Dzanadoh, 67, from Dompim Bepoekyie, was crowned the overall best farmer for the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.
He has 50 acres of cocoa, 40 acres of rubber, 13 acres of oil Palm, 10 acres of maize, 10 acres of cassava, 10 acres of plantain, four acres of vegetables, two acres of cowpea, 100 local fowls, 20 goats, 10 pigs, fish pond with 1000 fishes, an oil palm processing machine, a corn mill and fufu pounding machine.
Mr. Dzanadoh took home one tricycle, plasma television set, latex foam mattress, mist blower machine, full piece wax print, weedicides, wheelbarrow, four plastic chairs, four matchet, two pairs of wellington boots, two shovels, regalia, T-shirt, and a certificate.
Mr. Ebenezer Cobbinah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), said this year the assembly received 5,500 bags of urea and 6,600 bags of NPK, all of which were distributed to farmers and were enhancing food production and security in the municipality.
He outlined the key initiatives under the government’s flagship programme in agriculture, dubbed, Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), which is popularly known as Feed Ghana.
The MCE urged all farmers in the municipality to take advantage of the interventions as they would achieve food sufficiency through these efforts.
He acknowledged the support of companies that supported the assembly to recognize the contributions of the hard-working farmers.
Mr. John Essien, Municipal Director of Agriculture, explained that in terms of food security, the department of agriculture, under the municipal assembly’s leadership, was implementing measures to achieve self-sufficiency.
He said despite inadequate motorbikes, they had intensified extension services, planned to expand field demonstrations to enhance technology adoption and promote municipal wide planting of fruit trees as their contributions to building climate resilient and eco-friendly communities.
“We believe if the department of agriculture is adequately resourced, all the above would be done successfully,” Mr Essien added.
He appealed to the municipal assembly to grade all agricultural roads to facilitate the transportation of farm produce to the market.
Mr. Issah Salifu Taylor, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency, in his remarks, appealed to Ghanaians to patronize locally produced goods, stating that it would boost the country’s foreign exchange.
He observed that it was unfortunate that Ghanaians preferred foreign products, especially rice over locally produced rice.
The MP said, “I believe the President is making his effort to ensure this ends. When you look around, even the school feeding programme across the country is going to focus on consuming made in Ghana goods, and it is a starting point”.
He was confident that in the next three years, they would be able to grow and eat local produce.
Nana Ampong Kwasi, Kyeamehene of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, who chaired the function, advised farmers to adopt the best farming practices shared with them by the officers from the department of agriculture in the municipality to increase their output.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/Christian Akorlie