By Florence Afriyie Mensah
Adugyama (Ash), June 18, GNA – The Department of Agriculture of the Ahafo Ano South East District, has organised its annual District Research-Extension Linkage Committee (RELC) Planning Session.
The session was aimed at strengthening agricultural development and improving the livelihoods of farmers and other actors within the agricultural value chain.
The event brought together key stakeholders in the agriculture sector to review activities undertaken in the previous year and assess their impact on farming communities across the district.
The session also provided a platform for participants to identify challenges, issues, and constraints affecting agricultural development and propose practical solutions for inclusion in the district’s subsequent annual action plan.
Stakeholders including the District Overall Best Farmer, Best Crop Farmers in the cereals and vegetables categories, Best Poultry Farmer, Best Livestock Farmer, Best Female Farmer, representatives of Farmer-Based Organisations (FBOs), Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD), Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and staff of the District Agriculture Department attended the session.
Mr. Ibrahim-Yamba Nelson Issaka, the District Chief Executive for Ahafo Ano South East, appreciated the various stakeholders for their contribution to the growth of agriculture in the area, stressing that, adequate food and animal production could boost Ghana’s economic development.
He indicated that the government had invested in interventions such as the “Feed Ghana” aimed at improving farmers’ capacity and productivity in the district.
The District Director of Agriculture, Mr. Raymond Ocloo, entreated farmers to continue to work in collaboration with the AEAs for successful outcomes in their farming activities.
He called for the urgent need for the District Assembly to provide funds to enable the agriculture department to conduct its mandated activities.
According to him, the District Agricultural Department had been starved of funds for about three years, and this development was altering the smooth discharge of their duties.
Madam Yaa Pokua, the Ashanti Regional Extension Officer, took participants through the constraints, priority gridding, frequency table formulation, and supporting statements, which were essential for sustainable and increased agricultural production.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter:Â Florence Afriyie MensahÂ
[email protected]