By: Nana Achiaa Aboagye
The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) has presented a cheque of one million Ghana cedis (GHC 1m) to the 2022 National Best Farmer, the Akyɛmpimhene of the Juaben Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region, Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe.
The presentation, which was done at the forecourt of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), was in fulfillment of the bank’s continuous pledge to be the lead sponsor of the Farmers’ Day Celebrations.
Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe was crowned the 2022 Overall National Best Farmer at the 38th National Farmers’ Day celebration held at Koforidua in the Eastern Region. Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe who hails from Asante Juaben, has 22 years of experience in farming, and a number of farms dotted across the Ashanti Region providing employment to many.
He has over 900 acres of oil palm plantation, 65 acres of cocoa plantation, 36 acres of cowpea, 37 acres of cassava plantation, and many heads of cattle, sheep, and goats. He is to invest one million Ghana cedis in the construction of the Siriboe Agritech Training Institute to train the youth in agriculture, especially in technology transfer, sustainable farming ideas, and best practices in farming.
Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe mentioned that his primary aim for contesting for the year 2022 National Farmers Award, was to have the enabling platform to use my good self as an example to motivate and mentor the Ghanaian youth especially those with tertiary education among whom unemployment is very high to consider agriculture as a profit-making venture. Glory be to God for how far He has brought us. He said since he was adjudged the national best Farmer, he has utilized every available platform to motivate and mentor over 300 youth, especially young women, into agriculture.
Nana Siriboe said as the 2022 National Best Farmer under the auspices of Siriboe Farms Ltd has embarked on the establishment of a 600 capacity Agricultural Skills development and environmental sustainability centre which is 50% complete to augment the effort of government and various stakeholders in providing the Ghanaian youth and women the opportunity to gain access to knowledge, information and education to make wealth through agriculture.
He reiterated that his initiative and intervention entails offering need-based training, that seeks to expose participants to different career options along the entire agricultural value chain, and the linking of agriculture to industry and services. Adding that the Skills Training Centre, will provide ICT-based agricultural solutions, that is, online training, link to agricultural services, marketing, and enhanced extension services like mobile phone audio conferencing.
He said Siriboe Farms Ltd. will continue to serve as a demonstration farm to provide hands-on training and education for the teaming youth. To ensure scientific and research-based training, the center is in the final stage of partnering with the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFAD), and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The Akyɛmpimhene of the Juaben Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region, Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe said he remains committed to championing the campaign of motivating and mentoring the youth to see agriculture as a profit-making business, especially, graduates from the tertiary institutions who have basic knowledge in accountancy, economics, marketing, and communication skills.
He is committed to building capacity for existing farmers to increase their yield in an environmentally sustainable way and greatly reduce post-harvest losses. Also committed to partnering with the media to propagate the opportunities along the entire agricultural value chain. To this effect, his youth mentorship roadshow and farmers’ capacity project will be launched in a few weeks.
To ensure the continuity and sustainability of this programme, Nana Siriboe has created the office of the National Best Farmer 2022 in Juaben. The office over the past six months has liaised and fostered arrangements with various stakeholders and the media to support and partner with the initiative. Furthermore, the Centre of Excellence will be a reference point for farmers, students, and anyone with an interest in agriculture to visit and be abreast with the various opportunities and developments in the sector.
He said his award price will therefore facilitate the various projects which he has already started that will greatly benefit agriculture in Ghana. He expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all those who have supported and believed in me throughout his farming journey especially his family, parents, wife and all his staff.
He emphasized that the award is not just a recognition of his personal achievements but a celebration of the indomitable spirit of farmers and the youth in Ghana.
The ADB Managing Director, Alhassan Yakubu-Tali said ABD has repositioned itself as the bank of choice when it comes to agriculture lending and provision of other related support including advisory services.
‘’The bank remains a major partner for all agricultural-related programmes and projects of the government. ADB has been the lead financier for planting for Food and Jobs, Rearing for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export and Rural Development, the agricultural Component of One Direct One Factory Initiative, and provision of Outboard Motors to the Fisher folks among other.’’
He said the sector requires a critical partner like ADB for agricultural financing and growth adding there is no doubt that the critical role played by ADB has greatly contributed to sustainable agriculture in Ghana. He pledged to work with the sector Minister to bring his foresight and vision for the ministry into fruition in order to guarantee food sufficiency in ensuring that the agricultural sector remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy.
He assured the ministry and government that they would continue to support the harnessing of the power of agribusiness for wealth creation. He commended the gallant farmers and fishers for their contribution to the development of the nation through agriculture even in the midst of global economic crisis. He congratulated Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe for winning the 2022 National Best Farmer Award.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Bryan Acheampong, commended ADB for consistently sponsoring Farmers’ Day and providing the ultimate prize. He reiterated that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture highly appreciates the contribution of ADB in motivating farmers and supporting the development of agriculture, especially through partnerships with the Ministry that are strategically designed to deliver solutions to problems in the sector.
He said the Ministry is shifting focus to an effective pathway towards harnessing the potential for agriculture adding that their new focus presents inherent opportunities for greater partnerships. He noted that his ministry will be engaging the ADB to explore possible areas of cooperation to catalyze the transformation process of the agricultural sector.
He also congratulated Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe for winning the 2022 National Best Farmer, saying he is a great inspiration to all Ghanaians, especially farmers and fishers who continue to persevere in their efforts to eke a living from farming.