By Peter Agengre
The Upper East Region has marked the 41st National Farmers’ Day with an impassioned plea to stakeholders to redouble their efforts towards achieving food security.
The event, held under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” paid tribute to outstanding farmers and shed light on the persistent challenges confronting the agricultural sector.
The highlight of the day was the recognition of Naab Sierig Sore Sobil IV, the 61-year-old Chief of Pelungu in the Nangodi Traditional Council, as the Upper East Regional Best Farmer.
His impressive agricultural portfolio includes an array of crop and livestock farms, including 500 acres of maize, 150 acres of millet, 380 cattle, 150 sheep, and 820 guinea fowls, cementing his reputation as one of the region’s most diversified farmers.
“I’m very happy for this recognition. I want to thank the Regional Minister and other officers. But I want to say that it is not easy when you have your farm produce lying there and you cannot get a market for it. Can you imagine the farmer suffering all these while, and when you bring your farm produce home, you cannot get a good market for it? Government must look into the issue for us,” he pleaded.
The Talensi District Director of Agriculture, Matthew Sulemana, also encouraged educational institutions to return to the tradition of school farms, saying this will not only supplement feeding programs but also instill agricultural values in pupils.
“This year we have awarded Winkogo Primary School for involving themselves in agriculture to supplement whatever the school feeding is giving them. Tongo Senior High is one of them. We are gradually pulling the schools into agriculture so that they will supplement what government gives them,” Mr. Sulemana explained.
At the ceremony was the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri, who lauded farmers for their unwavering resilience in the face of challenges.
He also urged food vendors to adjust their serving portions to reflect the current affordability of foodstuffs on the market, ensuring that the produce of the farmers reaches the consumers at a fair price.
Among the winners was Godwin Zoogah, the Talensi District Best Farmer, who received a range of prizes, including farm tools, inputs, and household items, to motivate farmers to intensify food production across the region.
