Paul Siameh (3rd from left) and other dignitaries inspecting some of the products at the exhibition
THE 2024 National Farmers’ Day celebration has begun with the government making a commitment to building resilience in the agricultural sector to ensure sustainability.
As part of activities lined up for the celebrations is a 5-day exhibition fair taking place at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra dubbed, ‘Agrifest’.
Scheduled to run between Monday, November 4 to Friday, November 8, 2024, the exhibition is designed to among others, provide a platform for stakeholders and other industry players to showcase their products and services to the public with a goal of boosting sales.
The celebrations will be climaxed with a special awards ceremony which will be held in the evening of Friday, November 8 at the Alisa Hotel where President Akufo-Addo is expected to present awards to deserving farmers.
A regional awards ceremony would also be held prior to the grand celebrations on Friday late afternoon.
Other activities earmarked for the celebration is a farmers’ forum scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, which would be facilitated by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
The forum would serve as a platform for discussing critical issues in the agricultural sector.
Being held on the theme, “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security”, this year’s celebrations, which marks the 40th edition, emphasises the government’s commitment to adopting best agricultural practices in response to climate change challenges.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Accra, Ag. Chief Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Paul Siameh, reassured stakeholders and all industry players of the government’s commitment to supporting farmers in addressing head-on, various challenges such as the near-drought conditions experienced in eight major grain-producing regions of the country, while employing interventions aimed at mitigating potential food shortages in the country.
“We have seen positive rainfall patterns, particularly in the Upper East region, which gives hope for late-planted crops. In addition, the ministry is aiding farmers with fertilizers and resources to ensure productivity,” he stated, adding that, “MoFA, alongside partners and stakeholders, remain committed to ensuring food security and boosting productivity across the sector,” he added.
Ghana’s current food supply, he disclosed, was stable and that measures were in place to prevent significant deficits early next year, saying, “We have sufficient food in the system and have set up contingency plans to address any shortfalls.”
He urged traders to refrain from hiking prices of food items, especially as Ghana prepares to enter the festive season.
Mr. Siameh bemoaned the state of poultry farming in Ghana, saying production is still “short of national demand” but assured that the ministry has in place ongoing efforts to strengthen the sector.
“The government is supporting farmers with chicks, feed, and medication. These interventions are expected to lead to an increase in poultry supply ahead of the Christmas period,” he said.
By Nii Adjei Mensahfio
