An eight-day agricultural fair is scheduled to be held from Thursday, November 29 ahead of the 2018 National Best Farmer Awards.
The Awards ceremony to be held in Tamale will see farmers rewarded for their efforts over the last year.
An overall national best farmer as well as a National Best Fisherman will be named at the ceremony while dozens will also be recognized in various categories.
Speaking in an interview on TV3, a Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Dr Sagri Bambangi, said the past year has seen a tremendous increase in yield due to good policies rolled out by the government.
He said a 50 per cent subsidy was provided by government on fertilizers and seedlings while the ratio of agricultural extension officers to farmers was boosted to stem the rate of extinction.
He revealed that pick-up trucks and motorbikes have also been procured for distribution to all districts across the country for use by farmers and officers respectively.
This year’s National Farmers’ Day celebration will be themed ‘Agriculture: Moving Ghana Beyond Aid’.
Dr Bambangi, who is also Member of Parliament for Walewale Constituency, explained that the theme was chosen to dovetail into the vision of the president.
For him, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s vision of ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ is a long-term vision which the agriculture sector is buying into.
The innovation to the 34th edition of the National Farmers’ Day – namely the fair and exhibition – will be opened by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The National Agriculture Fair will see farmers showcase developments and opportunities in their areas of specialization.
After the launch on Thursday, November 29, each of the following five days will be dedicated to the regions – two per day.
Northern and Western regions will exhibit their products on Friday, November 30 with Ashanti and Upper East regions on the following day.
Central and Greater Accra regions will be at the forefront on Monday, December 3, Eastern and Volta regions the next day and Brong Ahafo and Upper West regions will have the final ‘Regional Focus Day’ on Wednesday, December 5.
A forum has also been scheduled to be held on the eve of the Day.
The forum will provide opportunity to identify key problems in the sector and most importantly those that affect the welfare of farmers.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will be the Special Guest of Honour for the National Farmers’ Day celebrations at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana