The Ministry of Interior has announced that November 8 – a day set aside for this year’s National Farmers’ Day will not be a public holiday.
In a circular signed by Interior Minister Henry Quartey, the ministry clarified that “Friday, 6th December 2024, which marks Farmers’ Day, remains a Statutory Public Holiday and will be observed as such throughout the country.”
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture earlier explained that the shift in date for the celebration is vital to ensure adequate preparation for the upcoming general elections slated for Saturday, December 7.
This year’s celebration marks the 40th edition and will be themed; “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security.” The event will emphasise Ghana’s commitment to adopting agricultural practices that address the challenges posed by climate change.
Ahead of the celebration, the government and its partners will host a five-day National Agricultural Fair, Agrifest Ghana 2024, from November 4 to 8. Agrifest will showcase Ghana’s rich agricultural heritage and provide a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation, bringing together farmers and stakeholders from across the country.
The National Farmers’ Day celebration would have President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recognise exceptional farmers across 16 award categories. Awards include the Overall National Best Farmer, National Best Livestock Farmer, National Best Female Farmer, and National Best Physically Challenged Farmer.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has announced that Friday, November 8, 2024, will mark the 40th edition of Ghana’s National Farmers’ Day, with the celebration to be hosted in the Greater Accra Region.
President Nana Akufo-Addo confirmed the date as an opportunity to honour the country’s farmers for their significant contributions to Ghana’s economy and food security.
In a press statement released on Saturday, October 26, the Ministry outlined plans for this year’s event, which will deviate from the usual regional-level celebrations. Unlike previous years, all regional festivities will be centralized, with regional winners traveling to Accra for a special Awards Night Ceremony. This prestigious event is scheduled to take place at 4:00 p.m. at the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge.
Each region has been tasked with nominating winners in ten specific award categories, acknowledging the dedication and hard work of farmers across the nation. These selected individuals will be honoured by their respective Regional Ministers during the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of agriculture in Ghana’s development.
To ensure the participation of the awardees, Regional Coordinating Councils have been directed to bear the costs of travel, accommodation, and meals for the honourees. Similarly, all Regional Ministers and their Regional Directors of Agriculture are expected to attend, with expenses also covered by the respective Regional Councils.
The Ministry emphasized that the presence of the regional officials would underscore the crucial role farmers play in sustaining the nation, and their participation is expected to boost the morale of the honourees.
The National Farmers’ Day is a platform to recognize and reward Ghanaian farmers and fishers for their tireless efforts in boosting the nation’s agriculture.
Today, we celebrate Ghana’s hardworking and dedicated farmers and fishers on National Farmers’ Day 2023.
This day is dedicated to recognising the efforts of our farmers in ensuring food security and contributing to our economy.
This year’s theme, “Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience,” highlights the importance of innovation and resilience in agriculture.
As we celebrate our farmers today, we must acknowledge the need for smart solutions within a 24-hour economy to ensure sustainable food security for our nation.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is dedicated to bringing back the joy of farming and revolutionising the agricultural sector. We aim to achieve food self-sufficiency through a policy that supports large-scale commercial agricultural production.
This will be propelled by a robust cooperative system that will benefit from Farmers Service Centres established nationwide to drive access to agricultural credit and inputs.
We will introduce agro-processing units in all regions to add value to our agricultural products and create more opportunities for all farmers. Establishing agricultural processing plants will target crops such as palm, cashew, groundnuts, cotton, coffee, cocoa, soya, cassava, shea nuts, cereals, ginger, spices, cut flowers, fruits and horticultural products.
On this occasion, I want to assure our farmers that the next NDC government will prioritise their welfare and work tirelessly to ensure they have the necessary resources and support to thrive. Our farmers are the backbone of our economy, and we will continue to invest in their success.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Ghanaian farmers on this special day.
The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) has contributed an amount of GHC1,000,000 to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in support of the 39th National Farmers Day celebration.
The cheque will be presented to the 2023 National Best Farmer during an awards night at the University of Mines and Technology (UmaT) in Tarkwa, Western Region.
The theme for the 39th edition of the National Farmers Day Celebration is “Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience.” This annual event honors farmers for their invaluable contributions to the country’s development and aims to leverage innovation and technology to enhance the organization of the national award ceremony.
The ADB has consistently been the lead sponsor of this celebration in recent years. During the presentation of the cheque, Eno Ofori-Atta, the Deputy Managing Director of ADB PLC, reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to increasing investment in the agricultural sector.
This commitment is aimed at improving food security, supplying raw materials to agro-based industries, and generating employment opportunities for the youth in the country.
Deputy Minister of MoFA and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Yaw Frempong Addo, emphasized that the celebration serves as a reminder to stakeholders and the public to stand in solidarity with hardworking farmers. Their sacrifices, perseverance, and tireless efforts contribute significantly to ensuring food sustenance in the country.
He said: “Ghana cannot take for granted the constant supply of our food and nutritional needs by our farmers despite the numerous challenges they face.”
Despite the surge in food prices, the Deputy Minister emphasized that food remains both available and accessible. He added that the government is actively addressing challenges to ensure the affordability of food across the country.
Mr. Frempong highlighted that this year’s planned activities for the celebration would have a unique approach. Among the activities is a five-day exhibition of agricultural products called “Agrifest,” scheduled to take place at the ministerial enclave from November 27 to December 1, 2023.
“Agribusinesses from all 16 regions would come on board to exhibit their agricultural products and show to the whole world what Ghana is doing in terms of food security. There will also be a special desk placed at a vantage point to explain phase two of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme to the citizenry for better understanding and participation so that Ghana will completely end or reduce the importation of food items.”
A parade will traverse the main streets of Accra to raise awareness for the upcoming 39th National Farmers Day Celebration.
The Deputy Minister also informed the media about a farmers’ market set to take place at Independence Square in Accra as part of the festivities. This market will offer a variety of affordable food items, including yams, cassava, plantains, rice, and poultry products.
While the districts and regions will uphold their customary exhibitions and awards, the national event will have a different format.
It will be an indoor awards night hosted at the University of Mines and Technology (UmaT) in Tarkwa, Western Region. Nominees will be invited to attend and receive their awards during this ceremony.
“We are ready to receive donations, we are appealing to everyone to come on board as it has always done over the years to help make this year’s event a success,” he said, pleading with corporate organizations and stakeholders to support this year’s celebrations.
The Central region has contributed about 49,752.00 metric tons of fish valued at GH¢389,335.00 out of a total of 628.617.53 metric tons of fish caught countrywide from January to November 2022.
The figure represents an increase of 33.24 a cent of the 471.798 metric tons recorded in 2021.
Nationally, the total volume of marine fish landings grew by 20.53 percent from 326,867 metric tons in 2021 to 393,970 percent metric tons in 2022.
Dr. Peter Omega, the Central Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture disclosed this at the 38th Regional Farmer’s Day celebration held at Jukwa in the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District to reward 30 outstanding farmers.
This celebration, which was on the theme: “Accelerating Agriculture Development through Value Addition”, was graced by Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Regional, a host of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives, traditional authorities, and farmers.
The awards ceremony was instituted to reward the nation’s hard-working and gallant farmers and fishers for their commendable and meritorious contributions to the nation’s food security.
In line with that, he said some individuals had received support to reclaim some illegal mining sites for aquaculture projects, which were yielding positive results at Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District.
Touching on the cocoa sector, Dr Omega said, a total of 383.73 hectares of Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease infected farms had been removed since 2017.
With that, he said a total of 268.53 hectares representing 69.98% of the rehabilitated farms have been replanted with free plantain suckers, free hybrid cocoa seedlings, and free desirable economic shade trees that commensurate with the farm size.
The move was in tandem with the Region’s strategy to increase its output in the national tonnage of cocoa and distributed a total of 5,576,495 free hybrid cocoa seedlings and 170,425 desirable economic shade trees to some 8,707 cocoa farmers within the region.
The region subsequently, produced a total of 89,528.81 tons of dried cocoa beans compared to the previous year’s 135,858.50 tons.
Towards improving the market linkages of agricultural activities in the region, a total of 474,226 farmers and fishers have been linked to 173 Agricultural input dealers for input supply, while 55 aggregators and traders have been linked to farmers, processors, and consumers.
Similarly, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Commission created a sector database of 301 agro-processors, who are into cassava, oil palm, vegetables, coconut, ginger, maize, rice, sweet potato, poultry, piggery, and fish processing and had been linked to farmers and fishers for raw materials and traders and consumers.
On crop production, Dr. Omega announced that the production of agricultural commodities recorded a significant increase by the average of 2.5%.
“Maize production shows an increment from 326,625 in 2020 to 348,240 in 2021, rice-12,308 in 2020 to 16,246 in 2021, cassava -3,338,905 in 2020 to 3,540,553 in 2021, plantain- 278,256 in 2020 to 327,522 in 2021.
“Poultry production increased from 3,367,612 in 2020 to 3,586,507 in 2021, while sheep and goat increased from 894,612 in 2020 to 939,382 in 2021 and pigs from 51,777 to 53,045.
That represents a drop of 34.10% compared to the previous yield could be attributed mainly to the alternating bearing nature of the crop.
While celebrating farmers for their determination to maintain national food security, Dr Omega charged them to accept and improve on their technology through value addition.
They should accept give’s strategy on transforming the agricultural sector by upgrading the value chain—production, postproduction, and appropriate policies
He urged processors in planting materials and breeds of animals, farmers, and fishers are expected to add value to their products.
“Institutions and organizations are to add value to research findings, agriculture financing, extension delivery, product certification and regulation, and agriculture infrastructure development including irrigation, storage, and transport facilities.
“Packaging, processing, delivery, and fortifying of products like gari with orange flesh sweet potatoes which provide all the essential vitamins in our diets.
“Certification by the Food and Drugs Authority and the Ghana Standards Authority are forms of adding, value to food products since they go through their processes to ensure quality and safeguard public health agro-processing has emerged as one of the most attractive sectors for investment,” he advised.
For her part, Mrs Assan reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers to maintain national food security.
She encouraged the youth to take advantage of the government’s interventions in the sector to improve their livelihoods and commended Canfed Ghana for supporting the farmers in the region.
Several gallant farmers were rewarded for their hard work to enable others to emulate them.
As Ghana celebrates Farmers’ Day today, December 2, 2022, the Keta Investment Promotion Center (KIPC) has praised farmers in the Keta Municipality and throughout the nation for their enormous contributions to the country’s economy.
“There’s no doubt that you have sustained this nation for ages. Without you, nothing is complete. We celebrate your bravery and sacrifices despite the enormous challenges you face in land tenure, farm input supplies, post-harvest losses and absence pension schemes for you”, it stated in a statement signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Enyonam Apetorgbor.
“On a day dedicated to former President Rawlings to celebrate your unappreciated contributions to national development, I join hands with thousands of our country men and women to congratulate you and thank you for feeding us. You have made us who we are”.
KIPC explained that it is determined to work with farmers to implement new farming practices and the supply of farm inputs, adding, “my team of agricultural experts stand ready to assist you in modern land use methods, fish farming and emerging trends in agriculture in general”.
In an effort to increase capacity, the KIPC noted that its team of specialists will shortly launch training programs for farmers in the municipality.
A value addition initiative is currently being promoted under the combined auspices of the KIPC and Keta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to enable farm produce to fulfill the export standards.
Former President, John Mahama, has urged the government to prioritise agribusinesses and support key players in the agricultural value chain as a means to boost the economy.
According to him, in the face of recent downgrades by international rating agencies and the high inflation rate in the country, supporting the agricultural sector to reduce imports and strengthen the weakening cedi is the way to go.
He said this in a Facebook post to mark this year’s National Farmers’ Day celebrated on December 2.
“I celebrate all farmers on this auspicious occasion for their priceless efforts that feed us and keep our industries running.
“With Ghana’s economy at the brink of collapse, as proven by Rating Agencies through their unending downgrades, and the hardship it has brought to many homes, this is the time for government to begin to take farmers and farming related businesses serious,” he said.
He continued, “This is the surest way we can reduce imports, strengthen the struggling cedi and save Ghana’s economy.
“I urge government to prioritise agribusiness and support with favourable financing for farmers and all actors in the agricultural value chain.”
Meanwhile, Moody’s has downgraded the Government of Ghana’s long-term issuer ratings to Ca from Caa2 or further junk status and changed the outlook to stable.
This concludes the review for downgrade that was initiated on September 30, 2022.
“The Ca rating reflects Moody’s expectation that private creditors will likely incur substantial losses in the restructuring of both local and foreign currencies debts planned by the government as part of its 2023 budget proposed to Parliament on 24 November 2022″, a statement published on its website said..
The statement pointed out that “given Ghana’s high government debt burden and the debt structure, it is likely there will be substantial losses on both categories of debt in order for the government to meaningfully improve debt sustainability”.
The 38th edition of the National Farmers Day has been launched in Accra to reward farmers for their hard work and commitment to ensure food sufficiency in the country over the year.
The event, which will be held in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, on December 2, 2022, is on the theme: “Accelerating agricultural development through value addition”.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who launched the day in Accra last Friday, said “we need to commend our farmers for standing with us to produce food in very difficult global circumstances”.
Recognition
Dr Akoto said farmers deserved commendation and encouragement, particularly over the last two years when the country performed well in the agricultural sector in the midst of difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the sector stood tall as a result of the support given to farmers by the government and described the performance of farmers as “extraordinary”, compared to other sectors, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
According to him, there was a significant growth of 8.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the sector last year, as against 7.4 per cent in 2020 and 4.5 per cent in 2019.
He said since the introduction of the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, the government had invested about GHC 2.6 billion to subsidise improved seeds and fertiliser.
According to him, the programme led to the cultivation of GHC 50 billion worth of farm produce, about 14,973,000 tonnes.
Value addition
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, in a speech read on her behalf, said the concept of value addition in agriculture, especially in fisheries and aquaculture, would lead to additional revenue generation, job creation, foreign exchange earnings and effective post-harvest management.
According to her, in 2021, fish production stood at 628,617 tonnes, amounting to about GHC 11.04 billion, contributing about 1.04 per cent to GDP, adding: “I am sure that if there had been value addition, the revenue would have been more.”
Ms Koomson said her outfit had taken some measures to improve value addition and mentioned, for instance, the building of the capacity of actors in the fish value chain to ensure the production of safe and quality fish products.
Appreciation
The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, expressed appreciation to the National Planning Committee for selecting his region to host the event.
He gave an assurance that “this year’s celebration will be one of the greatest ever held, if not the best”.
The Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Yaw Frimpong Addo, said in the entire 38-year history of the celebration, the private sector had contributed significantly.
Mr Addo, who is a Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, entreated the private sector to, as usual, “come to the table with their sponsorship package”.
National Farmers Day in Ghana is celebrated on the first Friday of December each year to recognise the contributions of farmers and fishers in the country.
The holiday is designed to pay respect to the importance of the farming and fishing industry in the socio-economic growth of Ghana.
In a tweet as part of the celebrations today Friday, December 3, Mr Anyidoho said “Papa J is gone: Farmers Day remains. Jerry John Rawlings instituted Farmers Day in 1985, and it remains one of his lasting legacies. Ayekooo to ALL our farmers and fishermen for keeping bodies and the soul of the nation alive. Long live Ghana.â€
Papa J is gone: Farmers Day remains. Jerry John Rawlings instituted Farmers Day in 1985, and it remains one of his lasting legacies. Ayekooo to ALL our farmers and fishermen for keeping bodies and the soul of the nation alive. Long live Ghana 🇬🇭 💪🙏 pic.twitter.com/GCI8W3EFGd
The 36th edition of the National Farmers’ Day for this years will be held in Techiman in the Bono East Region on November 6, 2020.
The national event will be held on the theme: “Agribusiness Development under COVID-19 – Opportunities and Challenges”.
Mrs Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, speaking at the launch of the event in Accra, said the choice of the theme was to highlight the new orientation for all actors along the agricultural value chain.
“The challenges and opportunities presented by the onset of Covid-19 pandemic reinforce the government’s priority placed on the agricultural sector. For us in the sector, including fisheries, we are assured that our farmers and fishers can continue to go about their means of livelihood with the support of government and its partners even in times of emergencies,” she said.
She said the country’s agriculture sector was transitioning from subsistence and primary production to that of value addition and agribusiness.
She stated the government’s commitment to the sector’s growth through its flagship programmes such as the Planting for food and jobs, planting for export and rural development.
Mrs Quaye said the Ministry was constructing 12 fish landing sites and fishing harbours in selected communities to improve fish handling and reduce post-harvest losses.
She added that the Ministry was rolling out Aquaculture for Food and Jobs as part of the planting for food and jobs initiative to increase domestic fish production and create decent job opportunities along the value chain.
This, she explained, would create 3,000 direct jobs and 33,000 metric tonnes of fish annually.
Mr Nurah Gyiele, Minister of State at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, said the event was to recognize the immense role farmers played to the country’s growth.
Mr Gyiele, who is also the Chairman of the National Planning Committee, said this year’s National Best Farmer would receive an amount of ¢100, 000 cash prize.
“As a ministry, we exist to ensure that farmers and fishers receive the best services in the form of technical support, inputs and infrastructural facilities to promote their enterprise,” he said.
In the quest to promote agriculture production in the country, the Exim Bank, Mohinani Group, BonAgro Company Limited, Nsroma GPS, and Macrofertil Ghana Limited, an Agriculture inputs-fertiliser company, have donated towards the 2019 Farmers’ Day celebration.
The Exim Bank, donated a tractor with accessories, Nsroma GPS, a tracking for security company donated two vehicle tracking devices, while Macrofertil donated 100 cartons of Ervextra weedicide worth GH¢25,200 for rice and maize and a cheque for GH¢5,000.00.
BonAgro Company Limited on the other hand donated 40 sprayers, and weedicides, while Mohinani Group, producers of polytank donated 1000 pieces of fruit packaging cartons, two bales of bagging sacks for farm produce, four pieces of 2,500 litre polytank, and black sheeting rolls for green house farming and drying of grains and vegetables.
Mr William Obeng, the Head of Corporate Banking, Exim Bank, who presented the tractor, said the bank has a special focus on agriculture and agro processing, hence the interest to support the sector.
He said the tractor would be given to the first runner-up best farmer, adding that, he believed the reward would motivate other farmers to rededicate themselves to the promotion of agriculture and food security.
Mr Stephen Tour, the Head of Agriculture, Macrofertil Ghana Limited, said the weedicide donated by his company could be used on 2,400 acres of farm lands.
It was the company’s core mandate to support the agricultural sector, since it focused on agriculture as an area of specialty.
“It’s only good to show our appreciation to farmers by supporting them with these chemicals. We also ensure that we produce quality fertilisers, crop protection chemicals, vegetable feed, and animal feed to farmers to boost their production,” he said.
Ms Elizabeth Owusu Kissi, the Group Corporate Affairs Manager, Mohinani Group, said the Group’s support was an annual gesture which forms part of its corporate social responsibility.
“We are a key supplier in the Agricultural value chain. So as part of efforts to thank farmers for contributing to the success of the company and encourage them to contribute to socio-economic development, we decided to donate these to them,” she said.
Mr Gabriel Kwaku Sakyi Daniels, the Customer Success Manager, Nsroma GPS, said his company identified another area that was significant but often not realised in the agricultural value chain.
Hence, the company donated the vehicle trackers, which allowed for a year of free subscription for farmers to track their operations and logistics to ensure their security and relevant usage.
On the part of Bon Agro Company Limited, Mr Victor Nchonah, the Operations Manager, said the company has a core responsibility to appreciate farmers who are its key stakeholders.
He said the company has also donated similar items to the regional levels to reward best farmers in the regions.
Dr Gyeile Nurah, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, expressed the gratitude of the farmers, government and the public to the companies for their benevolent gesture.
He said the support would go a long way to encourage the farmers to exert more effort in agricultural production to boost economic growth.
He entreated the donating companies to grace the occasion slated for December 6, this year at Ho, to witness the impact of their support in the lives of the farmers.
“We believe in their various operations and success and we are hoping to have similar or more support next year from these generous organisations.”
In the quest to promote agriculture production in the country, the Exim Bank, Mohinani Group, BonAgro Company Limited, Nsroma GPS, and Macrofertil Ghana Limited, an Agriculture inputs-fertiliser company, have donated towards the 2019 Farmers’ Day celebration.
The Exim Bank, donated a tractor with accessories, Nsroma GPS, a tracking for security company donated two vehicle tracking devices, while Macrofertil donated 100 cartons of Ervextra weedicide worth GH¢25,200 for rice and maize and a cheque for GH¢5,000.00.
BonAgro Company Limited on the other hand donated 40 sprayers, and weedicides, while Mohinani Group, producers of polytank donated 1000 pieces of fruit packaging cartons, two bales of bagging sacks for farm produce, four pieces of 2,500 litre polytank, and black sheeting rolls for green house farming and drying of grains and vegetables.
Mr William Obeng, the Head of Corporate Banking, Exim Bank, who presented the tractor, said the bank has a special focus on agriculture and agro processing, hence the interest to support the sector.
He said the tractor would be given to the first runner-up best farmer, adding that, he believed the reward would motivate other farmers to rededicate themselves to the promotion of agriculture and food security.
Mr Stephen Tour, the Head of Agriculture, Macrofertil Ghana Limited, said the weedicide donated by his company could be used on 2,400 acres of farm lands.
It was the company’s core mandate to support the agricultural sector, since it focused on agriculture as an area of specialty.
“It’s only good to show our appreciation to farmers by supporting them with these chemicals. We also ensure that we produce quality fertilisers, crop protection chemicals, vegetable feed, and animal feed to farmers to boost their production,” he said.
Ms Elizabeth Owusu Kissi, the Group Corporate Affairs Manager, Mohinani Group, said the Group’s support was an annual gesture which forms part of its corporate social responsibility.
“We are a key supplier in the Agricultural value chain. So as part of efforts to thank farmers for contributing to the success of the company and encourage them to contribute to socio-economic development, we decided to donate these to them,” she said.
Mr Gabriel Kwaku Sakyi Daniels, the Customer Success Manager, Nsroma GPS, said his company identified another area that was significant but often not realised in the agricultural value chain.
Hence, the company donated the vehicle trackers, which allowed for a year of free subscription for farmers to track their operations and logistics to ensure their security and relevant usage.
On the part of Bon Agro Company Limited, Mr. Victor Nchonah, the Operations Manager, said the company has a core responsibility to appreciate farmers who are its key stakeholders.
He said the company has also donated similar items to the regional levels to reward best farmers in the regions.
Dr Gyeile Nurah, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, expressed the gratitude of the farmers, government and the public to the companies for their benevolent gesture.
He said the support would go a long way to encourage the farmers to exert more effort in agricultural production to boost economic growth.
He entreated the donating companies to grace the occasion slated for December 6, this year at Ho, to witness the impact of their support in the lives of the farmers.
“We believe in their various operations and success and we are hoping to have similar or more support next year from these generous organisations.”
