AWUTU SENYA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY MARKS 38TH NATIONAL FARMERS DAY CELEBRATION
Awutu Senya District Assembly on Friday, 2nd December, 2022 took turn to mark the 38th Edition of the National Farmers Day Celebration with farmers and fishers from different parts of the district at Odotom, a community in the district to reward some farmers for their contributions toward the economic growth of the district and the country at large.
The theme for this year’s National Farmer’s day celebration was, “Accelerating Agricultural Development Through Value Addition”.
The occasion was graced by the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West Constituency, Honorable Gizella Tetteh Agbotui, the District Chief Executive, Honorable Joseph Aidoo, District Coordinating Director, Madam Eunice Nalliah, The District Director of Agriculture, Assembly Members, Chiefs from Awutu Traditional Council, Heads of Departments, the Security, Media and among others.
During the celebration, there was a beautiful cultural display by the Awutu Senya Nnipa Nhyiren cultural troupes. Some farmers also exhibited their farm products such as maize, cassava, plantains, onions, peppers, fresh tomatoes, fish, goat, rabbit etc. at the faction which were later sold at a cheaper price.
In his welcome address, the District Director of Agriculture, Mr. Joseph Odame emphasized on this year’s farmer’s day celebration theme “Value Addition” and explained that, the theme in its broadest sense refers to the act of transforming a product from its initial state into one that is more valuable. Thus, the importance of adding value to farm produce to make a sufficient profit from our labor and maintain the provision of food in our illustrious district. He stated that, he believes that when farmers process, package and label their farm produce well, consumers will be mentally and emotionally drawn to them and this will place value on farm produce as well as farmers.
Mr. Odame also brought to light some challenges that are faced by farmers in the district such as high costs of fishing inputs, land degradation and sand winning, climate change amongst others that the District of Agriculture is currently facing and appeals for immediate support from the government.
He further expressed his gratitude to all farmers and reveals how happy he is to know that, Mr. Theophilus Kojo Dorgli from Obodakaba in the Awutu Senya District has been adjudged Central Regional Cassava Farmer for 2022.
For his part, the D.C.E, Hon. Joseph Aidoo stated that agriculture continues to be the anchor of this country’s economy, which employs more than half of the workforce, and that the agricultural sector is privately led and has the potential to contribute significantly to food and security, employment generation, increased incomes, economic growth and poverty reduction.
Hon. Aidoo also noted that, the “Planting for Food and Jobs ” program in the district is running smoothly as inputs such as fertilizer(NPK) 4,000 bags(50kg), organic liquid fertilizer 3,000 liters, maize 180kg of OPV, tomatoes 400 grams have been distributed to farmers. Also this year, a total of 4500 coconuts seedlings were distributed to 85 farmers in the district and 10200 mango seedlings were also distributed to 137 farmers and many more.
He further expressed his profound gratitude to all individuals and institutions that supported the assembly financially and with items to make the program a success and a memorable one. He also congratulated all the award winners and every farmer for their hard work and sacrifices made for the district and the nation at large.
Honorable Gizella Tetteh Agbotui also used the opportunity to appreciate all farmers and advised them to form a cooperation under the supervision of the District Director of Agriculture in other to channel their grievances to the DCE for their voices to be heard for support. She also urged her constituents to help in curbing sand degradation and sand winning which is affecting farm lands in the district. “Thus they should all pat shoulders and unite to work hard for the betterment of Awutu Senya West constituency and the nation at large”.
The member of parliament then assured all farmers within her constituency for her greatest support and promises of distributing fertilizers to all the farmers in due time.
Awards such as Hisense deep freezers, double door freezers, insecticides, cutlasses, kitchen knives, wheelbarrow, knapsack spraying machines, boots, hand gloves, 32inches flat screen televisions, standing fans among other items were presented to the well-deserved farmers and supporting individuals such as crop live Ghana, HPW fresh and dry and many others.
Awarded position such as best Youth Farmer, best Female Cocoa Farmer, district Best Farmer, district Best Physically challenged farmer etc. were respectively awarded and appreciated. Yapsa farms emerged as the second runner up whilst Mr. John Martey also emerged as the 1st runner up for the best district farmer.
In the end Kakos Farms was awarded the overall best farmer of the year in Awutu Senya District.
Kakos Farms was introduced in the year 1997 and happens to be one of the biggest farms in the district with about 48 workers and has 85 acres of cassava farm, 1 archer coconut farm, 50 acres of maize farm etc. It has helped to provide numerous scholarships to students within the district.
The owner of Kakos Farms expressed his appreciation and further appeal to the government to fix the deplorable road within the district since it is affecting farmers greatly in transporting goods to the market.
He also encouraged all farmers to work hard in supporting this country since the development of this nation is a collective responsibility.
REPORT BY ISD-ASDA
