The Okaikwei North Municipal Chief Executive, Boye Laryea says the Nana Akufo- Addo government’s introduction of Planting for food and Jobs Programme is indicative of its resolve to develop agriculture in the country.
According to him, the Pogramme has come to improve productivity and yield.
He explained that through the programme, there has been subsidy of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, farm implements, tractors among others.
Mr. Laryea stated that the Policy strategically focuses on food security in the country and increase national industrialization through value addition.
Planting for Food and Jobs is a flagship agricultural Campaign of the Government, with five (5) implementation modules.
The first module PFJ (Crops) aims to promote food security and immediate availability of selected food crops on the market and also provide jobs.
The five Modules include Food Crops (PFJ); Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD); Greenhouse Technology Villages (3 Villages) and Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ)
However, speaking at the 38th National Farmers Day and the Fourth in the Series in the Municipality, he said despite the ravages of the COVID-19 Pandemic, farmers in the country stood strong to provide the country with enough food to feed the citizenry.
Celebrated under the theme “Accelerating Agricultural Development Through Value Addition”, Honourable Laryea noted that the creation of market-oriented economy with agriculture well defines the theme for the celebration.
Mr. Laryea indicated that land is in limited supply in the Municipality and that even though farmers manage to find space, it is temporal because there are residential properties which prevent long term planning adding that “yet these men and women are able to make good use of these lands and spaces to produce food and meat for our local markets”.
The Municipal Director of Agric, Beatrix Brown-Quarshie, said the theme is in line with efforts aimed at complementing roles towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 2 which is ending hunger.
She disclosed that per the location of the Municipality, there is the potential to add more value to most agricultural produce as a way of business or home economics.
Charmian for the occasion, Emmanuel Wilson, Administrator of the Lapaz Community Hospital urged all to start backyard garden to support themselves.
He said farmers have been the backbone of the country’s workforce, producing food to feed everyone.
Thirty-Six year-old King Azure was adjudged the overall Best Farmer in the Municipality.
Mr. Azure, the owner of King Azure Farms in Nii Boitown a suburb in the Municipality takes over from Mr. Simon Hatsi the 2021 best farmer.
He walked away with a tricycle (Aboboyaa), cutlasses, wellington boots, wheelbarrow and other farm equipments.
Mr. Azure was optimistic his award will spur others on to aspire for greater heights in their various fields of endeavor.
The best farmer expressed gratitude to the Assembly for selection him.
Others farmers who exceled in processing, livestock farming, poultry farming, crop farming and best extension officers were awarded with knapsack spraying machines, cutlasses, wheel barrows among other items.