By Nana Asare Mireku
President Akufo-Addo has lauded farmers for ensuring food security in the midst of the current global economic challenges.
Speaking at the ongoing 38th National Farmers Day Celebration in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, the president said lessons have been drawn and learned from the importation of food products which is a toll on the local cedi currency.
He disclosed that through the government’s flagship “One District One Factory” programme, one hundred and 72 out one hundred and 96 factories are agro-based to add value to locally made products.
President Akufo-Addo added that through the “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme, maize production increased to three-point four metric tonnes in 2021, an increase of one point two metric tonnes from the previous year.
Meanwhile, 43-year-old Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe from Juaben district in the Ashanti Region was crowned the 2022 National Best Farmer.
The award-winner took home a cash prize of one million Ghana Cedis, tractor with implements, trailer, Boom sprayer, and other souvenirs.
Nana Sarpong Siriboe has a 900-acre oil palm plantation, 200-acres of maize, over 17, 000 poultry birds, as well as several livestock and acres of cocoa, cassava cashew, mango and cowpea farms, with a total workforce of 145.
Mr. Seth Agyei Fosu, also a mixed farmer based in the Kintampo-North of the Brong-East Region, took the First Runner-Up position, and received a tractor, trailer, Disc Plough and Boom Sprayer.
President Akufo-Addo said the government will continue to invest in the Agricultural sector to ensure the country does not experience any food shortage. Government will roll out some policies to cushion the sector.
It was on the theme, ” Accelerating Agricultural Development through Value Addition”.
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