President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo has applauded farmers and fisherfolks in the country for their efforts in ensuring food security in the country.
According to the president, farmers and fisherfolks played a major role in ensuring that there was no food shortage during the covid-19 pandemic.
He made this pronouncement at the 37th edition of farmer’s day and exhibitions held in Cape coast under the theme: Planting for Food and Jobs-Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana.
He stated that currently a structure is being designed to offer qualified agribusinesses with a 50% interest rate on loans by financial institutions.
This strategy is to help to encourage people working in the agribusiness to expand their operations on the local level.
President Akufo Addo also mentioned that more farmers are being registered to enjoy fertilizer subsidies in the country.
“Out of a target figure of 1.2 million farmers earmarked for registration, a total of 59,662 have been registered as of October 2021. The others will be registered as soon as possible” he said.
To this end, he notes that a farmer database scheme to monitor the subsidized fertilizer distribution programme is being developed in order to eliminate any possible abuse of the subsidized fertilizers.
The president thus reaffirmed the government’s commitment to foster a thriving agricultural industry in the nation.
“I remain confident that, Ghana can leverage her food systems to achieve the vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid…The government will continue to create the enabling environment and put in place the necessary policies and programmes to strengthen the linkage between the programme for planting for foods and jobs and the rural industrialization agenda of one district one factory”
“We working closely with the private sector to exploit every opportunity that will bring about enhanced livelihoods and economic empowerment for all.” He added.
The 2021 National Best Farmer, 44-year-old Alhaji Mohammed Mashud from the Northern region, said it was important that the government worked to accelerate efforts at mechanizing agriculture to make the sector more attractive for the youth.
He said it was time to support the local agriculture sector to produce more for the nation and extra for exports to reduce the food importation burden on the country.
For his prize, Alhaji Mashud gets GH¢600,000 cash and a GH¢500,000 insurance cover.
The first runner up, Suleman Yidana from the North East Region was awarded a tractor and disc plough, GH¢200,000 insurance cover, a sprayer and a study trip to Israel.
The second runner up, Rev Samuel Sida from the Ahafo Region also received a Nissan Navara pickup and a GH¢200,000 insurance cover.
The Best fisherman award went to Mr Kweku Ehun of the Gomoa East District of the Central Region who received a two-bedroom house to be built at a location of his choice. Other regional award winners were also awarded.
Source: Emmanuella Ama Gyamfi/ATLFMNEWS
