The New Juaben North Municipal Assembly has celebrated its 2nd Farmer’s Day Celebration at the Jumapo Community Centre.
With eight (8) acres of maize, eleven (11) acres of cocoa, three (3) acres of cocoyam, plantain five (5) acres, yam two (2) acres, poultry (local) – 50, five (5) goats, and one (1) acre of sweet potato 36-year-old from Akwadum Mrs Comfort Djamasi emerged as the overall best farmer in the New Juaben North Municipality.
Mr Alfred Tetteh was the first runner up and Mr Asamoah Chartey also took the second runner up position with Pope John Senior High School crowned best farming institution.
Mr Kwadwo Addo won the best animal farmer, Adelaide farms (best poultry farmer), Mrs Janet Dzamesi (best woman farmer), best crop farmer (root and tubers) went to Mr Alidu Teye, Mr Jeff Ashia (best non-traditional farmer), Mr Yaw Frempong won the best physically challenged farmer, 24-year-old Eric Wuyin Geeyam emerged as the best youth farmer, Francis Morkoli took home the best vegetable farmer and Madam Jane Mensah also emerged as the best cocoa farmer.
Other winners of the day include; Mrs Emilia Okyere (best fish farmer processor), Appiah Benjamin Dickson (best tree crop farmer), K.B. Asante (best Government Initiative Programme), Mrs Edith Nyarkoa and Felicia Kwao winning best IPM and best AEA farmers respectively.
The Member of Parliament for New Juaben North constituency who is also the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Hon. Nana Adjei Boateng in his address said it is because of farmer’s hard work and products they provide that has made the country what it is today. “Food produce such as cocoa, plantain, cocoyam, maize, yam, among others are of enormous benefit to this country. Cocoa has been one of the major cash crops that has helped this country financially and is still continuing to do so” he added.
Honourable Adjei Boateng said he was pleased to see some of the youth who brought their produce for inspection in this year’s farmer’s day celebration and encouraged others present to also engage themselves in the farming business. “I want to tell the youth that farming is very profitable most at times the youth would want white colour jobs but would not get, farming is another option they should consider so they can make a living”.
He also thanked all farmers in all the communities in the New Juaben North Municipality as well as the nation and hoped they will continue with a good job of uplifting our great nation Ghana through farming.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for New Juaben North Municipal Assembly, Hon. Comfort Asante stated this year’s celebration “actually imposes a duty on all of us to ensure that there is a paradigm shift from production-based to business agriculture, which promotes value chain development and entrepreneurship.
“We must add value to whatever we produce locally to generate more income and employment opportunities for our teeming youth”. She stated.
Honorable Comfort Asante also stated the launch of programs such as Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD), Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ) bears ample testimony of the government’s commitment to transforming the economy by modernizing the Agricultural Sector.
The Municipal Director of Agriculture for New Juaben North Municipal Assembly, Mr. Emmanuel Courage Narh stated the department will be organizing a sensitization programme for all farmers within the six communities in the Municipality. He urged all farmers to participate in the upcoming training on the best agricultural practices so they can be enrolled on the Planting for Export programme.
The Chief of Jumapo Nana Kwame Oppong Owusu III said the celebration of farmer’s Day each year shows how important farmers are to this country. “I hope this would not be the last time the community of Jumapo hosts the annual celebration of the event in the Municipality”. He stressed.
Story By: Elizabeth Ansaah
Municipal Information Officer (NJNMA)