5 Firms donate towards Farmers Day
Five corporate institutions have presented cheques totalling GH¢636,000 and some farm inputs towards this year's National Farmers Day celebration to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA)
The corporate institutes are ADB Bank, Sidalco Limited, Crocodile Matchets Ghana Limited, Rainbow Agroscience Company Limited and Interplast Limited.
Sidalco Limited and Rainbow Agrosciences Company Limited presented agricultural inputs and cheques, while ADB Bank and Interplast Limited presented cheques. Crocodile Matchets Ghana Limited also donated agricultural inputs and equipment.
The national event will take place in Ho in the Volta Region on December 6, 2019, and will be on the theme: “Enhancing Small Scale Agriculture Towards Agribusiness Development.”
Presentation
Presenting a cheque of GH¢536,000 at a ceremony on November 20 in Accra, the Deputy Managing Director of ADB Bank, Mr Alhassan Yakubu-Tali, stated that the bank was proud to be associated with the National Farmers' Day celebration and saw the donation as an obligation in helping to honour the hardworking people whose efforts are the backbone of the national economy.
"Our association and continuous sponsorship of the welcome cocktail, farmers’ forum and the ultimate prize over the years is a testament of our commitment to support our gallant farmers and fishers in feeding and creating employment for Ghanaians.
"It is also an indication of our desire to remain focused on our founding mandate to provide financial intermediation to the agricultural sector. In fact, this has been our preoccupation since we took over in 2017.
“On Friday, December 6, 2019, a new National Best Farmer will be crowned in Ho, Volta Region, and on behalf of the Board and Directors of the bank, through this event, we affirm the commitment of the bank to honour all promises,” he said.
National Best Farmer
Mr Alhassan said the donation was particularly to support the 2019 National Best Farmer.
He stated that the bank had provided past national best farmers with fully furnished three-bedroom houses at places of their choice, however, after reviews of the prizes, that reward has been converted to cash.
"In 2017, following strong advocacy and presentations by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and past national best farmers, a decision was taken to change the ultimate prize from the three-bedroom house into a cash prize," he explained.
The ADB Deputy Managing Director said the cash prize was to enable the award winner to invest in his or her business to expand and create more jobs for the youth.
Appreciation
The Minister of State in charge of Agriculture, Dr Gyiele Nurah, who received the items and cheques, thanked the firms for their contributions.
"These contributions will help in honouring the gallant farmers who work assiduously to ensure that we achieve the mission of ensuring food security and producing for industries," he said.