NEW JUABEN NORTH MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY
Introduction
The National Farmers Day was instituted by Government in 1985 in recognition of the vital role farmers and fishermen play in the Ghanaian economy. This was to emphasize the highly commendable output of farmers and fishermen in 1984 (about 30% growth registered), after the bad agricultural years of 1982 and 1983 i.e. when the bushfires ravaged most of our farmlands. This day is celebrated on the first Friday of December every year to motivate our gallant farmers and fishermen to produce more. As such the day has been set aside on the National calendar as a public Holiday to celebrate this important feat. However it is celebrated on the first Friday every November in an election year. This year’s ceremony marks the 38th farmers’ day celebration with the theme “Accelerating Agricultural Development Through Value Addition”. The theme was chosen to reflect the important role of the Agriculture Sector to the economic development of the Country. It was also to re-emphasise its contribution to all the other sectors of the economy.
The Criteria f
or Selection of the Municipal Best Farmer
Farmers are selected based on the following criteria:
Diversified and Integrated Farming Operations: For example, raising livestock and crops and using the crop residue to feed the livestock and the livestock waste to nourish the crops.
Scale of Operation: Various scales of operation, small, medium and large are considered. Size and number of various enterprises identified e.g. acreage of crops, number of livestock and poultry, surface area of fishpond(s), number of beehives and the yield realized from these are used to classify scale of operation.
Knowledge of Husbandry Practices: The farmer should be conversant with cultural practices such as fertilizer application, weed, pest and disease control as well as scientific animal production techniques.
Environmental Awareness and Relevant Practices: An award winning farmer should be aware of the problems of the environment and the measures needed to be taken to alleviate their harmful effects. He/she should be aware of factors such as control of bush burning, soil erosion control and other soil and water management practices.
Identification of Farming Problems and Innovation: A good farmer should be able to identify and evolve or institute measures to combat periodic or perennial problems connected with his/her farm project.
Records Keeping: An aspirant award winning farmer should have adequate knowledge in farm record keeping that will assist him/her to evaluate the success or failure of the enterprise.
Adoption of New Technology: The farmer should prove that he or she is abreast with innovations with regard to improved practices, inputs and techniques which will increase his/her agricultural productivity. (The level of mechanization of his/ her farm)
Farmer’s Role in his or her Community: To be considered as an award winner, the farmer must contribute towards the growth of the community in which he or she lives. He or she should extend to, or share knowledge with other farmers in the community. (The farmers’ mentorship role in the community towards youth and women)
General Impression of Farmer and Farm: The general outlook of the farmer and his farm is very important. The farmer should be able to identify general or specific problems connected with the farm and be aware of the institutions to consult for help.
• Stakeholder verification
• Farmers’ contribution to employment
• The relationship between farmer’s activities and sector policy
The Celebration
The Municipal’s farmer’s day celebration was held on 25th November, 2022 in a flamboyant ceremony at the forecourt of the Oyoko Palace in honor of our wonderful farmers. In preparation towards the special day, farmers’ activities were closely monitored and assessed by the Agricultural Extension Agents (AEA) over the farming season during the reporting year. After which thirty five farmers across all the four Agricultural zones within the Municipal were nominated. Subsequently the Municipal inspection team embarked on two weeks inspection to all nominated farms, marks were allocated to the various farmers as per performance based on the set criteria for selection. Seventeen (17) deserving farmers and one (1) staff, emerged winners for the various selected enterprises awarded by the Municipal. However, two categories were sponsored by companies namely; Esefort and COCOBOD. The categories of enterprises awarded were;
BEST TREE CROP FARMER
BEST PERD FARMER
BEST COCOA FARMER (COCOBOD)
BEST NON-TRADITIONAL FARMER
BEST F.B.O
BEST PLANTAIN FARMER
BEST ROOT & TUBER FARMER
BEST GRAIN & CEREAL FARMER
BEST VEGETABLE FARMER
BEST PROCESSOR
BEST POULTRY FARMER
BEST LIVESTOCK FARMER
BEST ORGANIC FARMER (ESEFORT)
BEST WOMAN FARMER
BEST AGRIC STAFF
2ND RUNNER UP
1ST RUNNER UP
OVERALL BEST FARMER
The second runner up was awarded to Mad. Leticia Adjei of Oyoko whiles the first runner up award was won by Mr. Abraham Tetteh of Asikesu and finally Yakaab Farms of Suhyen took the overall best farmer award for the Municipal.
The occasion was graced by the Traditional leaders of the New Juaben North Municipality, a representative for the Member of Parliament of the Constituency, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Hon. Comfort Asante, the Municipal Coordinating Director (MCD) Mr. Ndinga Nborinyi, Heads of Departments and other important dignitaries. The M.C.E Hon. Comfort Asante, in addressing the gathering, welcomed all and sundry to the ceremony and advised all present on the opportunities that comes along with farming hence, the need to engage themselves into it. The Municipal Director of Agriculture Mr. Emmanuel Yaw Amenu, congratulated all farmers in the Municipal especially the award winners for their massive efforts in their various farming enterprises. He advised that the Agriculture sector has been the main economic backbone of the Country since independence and still contributes meaningfully to the nation’s development by way of employment generation and revenue for the Country. He urged all farmers not to relent on their efforts but work hard along the value chain to continue to strengthen Ghana’s Agriculture and make it more market – oriented and business – focused. Again she admonished farmers to observe all the COVID-19 health protocols to be able to stay safe. He cautioned all especially the youth against rural -urban migration to seek for unavailable jobs but rather, take farming serious to achieve meaningful lives since they remain the future of the nation. He mention acquisition of farmland as the great challenge for farmers in the Municipal and Ghana as whole he therefore urged the government to come out with land policies to guide land use.
The Municipal Agric Director given a Speech at the Farmer’s Day Celebration
The MCE Hon. Comfort Asante delivering her speech
GALLERY FOR INSPECTION OF ITEMS
GENERAL GALLERY FOR EVENTS ON THE GROUNDS
Traditional leaders seated at the grounds
Dignitaries seated at the grounds
Assembly Staff seated at the grounds
Queen mother of Oyoko, MCE and farmers joyfully dancing together
GALLERY FOR PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Municipal Planning Officer presenting an award to a farmer
Agric sub-committee Chairman presenting an award to a farmer
Queen mother presenting an award to a farmer
Chief presenting an award to a farmer
Senior Agric Officer presenting an award to a farmer
Immigration Officer presenting an award to a farmer
Police Officer presenting an award to a farmer
Municipal Finance Officer presenting an award to a farmer
Oyoko Queen mother presenting an award to a farmer
Municipal Agric Director presenting an award to Best Agric Staff
MCD presenting an award to 2nd runner up farmer
MP’s representative presenting an award to 1st runner up farmer
MCE presenting award to Overall Best Farmer
Overall Best Farmer addressing all participants present