The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) has officially handed over a cheque for GH¢570, 000.00 to the 2020 National Best Farmer, Solomon Kwodwo Kusi.
The amount is part of the prize entitled to the overall winner of the 2020 National Best Farmer Ward held at Techiman in the Bono East Region.
Addressing a handing over ceremony at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) on Wednesday 21st April 2021, Managing Director of ADB John Kofi Mensah stated that ADB, which has been the lead sponsor of the award ceremony since 2001 will continue to support government in rewarding Ghanaian farmers in the years ahead.
The Bank, he said, received an agribusiness proposal from Mr. Kusi through MOFA and is satisfied after scrutiny by its agribusiness division.
According to him, the document indicated that part of the money will be used to acquire and install a Cocoa Drying House, expand most of existing farms and employ more people.
“In addition, there will be construction of three boreholes, upgrade of his agricultural mechanization center and adoption of improved agricultural methods, improved propagation materials, fertilizers, animal feed, etc,” he said.
Mr. Kofi Mensah noted that these projects as outlined in the proposal are critical for the expansion of Solomon Kwadwo Kusi’s business and as the norm has been, ADB will provide a dedicated Relationship Manager to assist in ensuring the proper utilization of the funds.
“Our expectation is that by upgrading and expanding the mechanization center, more farmers in his catchment area would benefit from mechanization services,” he added.
He expressed ADB’s commitment to collaborating with MOFA to ensure the agricultural sector continues to play its critical role in Ghana’s economic growth.
He assured that apart from running programmes, the Bank is directing its attention in funding out-growth schemes for the One District One Factor (1D1F) projects to ensure job creation and sustainability, and improve on the standard of living for Ghanaians.
“ADB remains a major partner to all Agricultural related programmes and projects of government specifically Planting for Food and Jobs, Rearing For Food and Jobs, Planting For Export and Rural Development, the agricultural component of 1D1F Initiative.”
“We have initiated the process for similar projects in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions with our technical team evaluating applications from poultry farmers in these regions,” he added.
Mr. Kofi Mensah reiterated ADB’s unflinching support to all initiatives aimed at guaranteeing food sufficiency and ensuring that the Agricultural sector remains the backbone of our economy.
MyPublisher24.com
