Everything is set for the Western Region to host the 39th National Farmers’ Day on December 1, 2023, at Tarkwa in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
The ministries of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, as well as Food and Agriculture, are organising the Day together for the first time in the area.
Under the esteemed sponsorship of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, it is focused on the topic of “Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience”.
Attendees at the event include farmers, fishermen, traditional leaders, legislators, researchers, and members of the public.
There are fifteen prize categories in the competition. The National Best Livestock Farmer, the First and Second Runners-Up, the Overall National Best Farmer, and National Best Female Farmer and the National Best Physically Challenged Farmer.
The other positions are occupied by the Best Fisher, Best Marine Fisher, Best Inland Fisher, Best Fisher Farmer, Best Fish Processor, Best Cocoa Farmer, Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, Best Most Enterprising Cocoa Farmer, and the Best Shes Nut.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, will bestow regional honours on meritorious farmers during a regional celebration that day, which would serve as an introduction to the national awards night.
In Ghana, the agricultural value chain employs over 60% of the workforce, while the agricultural industry contributes roughly 20% of the country’s GDP.
Since 58% of the country’s indigenous people work in agriculture, the Western Region has made significant contributions to the growth of the agricultural industry.
The area has the potential to grow into a significant producer of rice and cattle and is already the country’s top producer of coconut, rubber, and chocolate. It is also one of the top producers of oil palm.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture estimates that around 45% of the fish sold in Ghana originates from the area in terms of fish production.
It also has abundant natural resources, like as bauxite, oil, and gold, which contribute significantly to its economic significance in the context of national development.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr. John Kwamina Gyimah, the Western Regional Director of Agriculture, stated that the national winners will make a courtesy call on Thursday, November 30, in the regional capital of Sekondi-Takoradi.
Before going to Tarkwa, the venue for the event, they would also go through some rehearsals.
“The 39th edition of the Farmers Day comes to us a business blessing and a massive window of opportunity to showcase the economic potential of agricultural production in terms of crop, fish, and animal productions,” he said in regards to the significance of the festival for the area.
According to Mr Gyimah, the occasion will introduce farmers to fresh approaches to enhancing agricultural output, including collaborations, job creation, capacity building, and technology for selling on both the domestic and global stages.
