|
President Kufuor salutes Ghanaian farmers
Techiman (B/A), Nov.
09, Ghanadot/GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday
saluted Ghanaian farmers for their positive response to the
Government's agricultural policies, which had resulted in
increased cocoa and food production.
It was this that has saved the nation from food shortages
and its accompanying hardships including soaring prices that
many countries across the world were currently experiencing.
Addressing the 24th National Farmers Day celebration at
Techiman in the Brong-Ahafo Region, he declared: "The nation
cannot thank you enough. You remain, indeed, the backbone of
the economy."
The overall National Best Farmer Award went to 54-year old
Dr Simon Saku, Managing Director of Emil Farms at Wenchi in
Brong-Ahafo.
For his prize, he received a 40,000 Ghana Cedi three-bedroom
house to be built at a place of his choice.
Dr Saku operates a private hospital at Wenchi and has farms
Amponsakrom, Wenchi, Subinso, Bedibinom, Abotareye and
Aduana, all in Brong-Ahafo.
The first and second runners-up were Madam Janet Nyabase of
Azugyire in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region and
Mr Maurice Dery of the Upper West Region, respectively. They
drove home a double cabin pickup each.
President Kufuor announced that six modern fishing harbours
complete with cold stores and refrigeration facilities at
strategic points on the nation's coast, were soon going to
be constructed.
The Government has already secured funds for these projects.
This, he said should help to reduce the level of
post-harvest losses and assist fishers to market their catch
in a regulated and commercial manner for higher returns.
The Agricultural Development Bank was also in partnership
with the Government to modernize fisheries equipment and
fishing vessels through the introduction of fibreglass in
the construction of motorized canoes and fishing vessels.
Additionally, a number of alternative livelihood activities
selected by the fishers themselves would be introduced in
the fishing communities to enable the fishermen and
fishmongers to earn incomes during the lean season.
President Kufuor urged the entire farming sector of the
nation to show interest in the Millennium Challenge (MCA)
Projects, which were being implemented in all the 30
selected districts of the country.
The vision, he said, was to transform the rural economy to
support the nation's industrialization drive.
"As 60 per cent of the country's population is rural, this
agricultural modernization programme provides the surest way
to the ultimate prosperity of this country."
President Kufuor made reference to the tractor assembling
plants established at Tema and Kumasi within the past year
and asked all stakeholders to take advantage of the emerging
opportunities to mechanize Ghana's agriculture.
With barely two months left for his Presidency, he said, he
had enjoyed working with the farmers and fishers, adding
that, they had been solid pillars behind his Administration.
He used the occasion to counsel them to show keen interest
Election 2008 and to play their respective roles to ensure
credible elections.
This way, the stability of the country would be assured for
them to continue their good work.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ernest Akubour Debrah
earlier outlined a number of interventions introduced by the
Government
within the past eight years to raise the level of
agricultural production.
These included acquisition and distribution of tractors and
other mechanization equipment; the creation of mechanisation
service centres; supply of quality seeds; rehabilitation and
development of irrigation infrastructures; subsidy on
fertilizers and the promotion of rice cultivation in the
Upper East and Northern Regions.
He said the Ministry has intensified the dissemination of
agricultural technologies to farmers and that about 2,500
Extension Agents had been empowered to conduct crop and
livestock demonstrations in more than 12,500 communities,
nationwide.
Apart from this, 2,000 motorbikes would be provided to the
extension staff by March 2009. Beginning from next year,
they would also be equipped to employ the use of
audio-visual vans in agricultural technology dissemination
in all the regions.
Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister,
called on all to be alert as the harmattan approached and to
help to prevent bushfires.
GNA
|
