For the 33rd year running, government is set to honour several farmers whose work contributes 21% to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product.
Since 1988, the first Friday of every December was set aside by the government as Farmers’ Day, celebrated as a statutory Public Holiday.
The National Farmers’ Day being held in Ashanti regional capital Kumasi, crowns an 8-day exhibition at Heroes Park near the Baba Yara Sports stadium.
Today, a new national best farmer will emerge as the icon of dedication and vision in the agricultural sector that employs 35.95% of the active labour force.
The winner takes over from the 2016 winner Mr. Robert Crentil from the Central Region who won the Ultimate prize of a 3-bedroom fully furnished house at the location of his choice financed by the adb bank.
Mr. Crentsil has been farming for almost 20 years. He has 120 acres of cocoa farm, 80 acres of rubber, 60 acres of plantain, 60 acres of cowpea, 30 acres of cassava, 7 acres of oil palm, 6 acres of coconut and 15 acres of citrus farms.
Ghana’s economic potential is best measured in agriculture, experts say.
But it is taking government a challenging time to convince graduates that a farm or a fish pond, is more rewarding than a white collar job.
Adding to the efforts of previous governments, the Akufo-Addo government has said it has big plans for the sector.
It wants to encourage farming through the Planting for Food and Jobs programme, a $140million plan to help farmers with seeds, fertilisers, extension services and marketing.
Using an initial investment of ¢456.3 million, the government also wants to encourage processing of farm products through an industrialisation policy of setting up a factory in each of the 216 districts.
These initiatives, the government believes, can change the narrative around agriculture and unlock great interest amongst the youth.
