15 Organisations donate towards Farmers Day
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MOFA) has received items worth GH¢45,577 and an amount of GH¢39,500 towards the 2016 National Farmers Day celebration.
The donation was made by 15 companies, including Continental Christian Traders (CCT) who gave fishing accessories worth GH¢20,877.
CFAO ( Suzuki) presented outboard motors and motorcycles worth GH¢13,200. Don Hai donated products worth GH¢9000 while Rekona Enterprise presented float nets worth GH¢2,500.
The other companies were Dolphin Frozen Foods, Regional Maritime, Akufo and Associates, Issifu Gabassa and Just Ackom Limited.
Farmers Day
The 2016 National Farmers Day celebration, the 32nd edition, is scheduled to come off on November 4, 2016 at Kintampo in the Brong-Ahafo Region.
The day is set aside by the government to honour farmers and fishers who provide food for the nation, raw materials for industries and also earn foreign exchange for the country. It is on the theme: ''Agriculture: A business response to economic growth.''
The fisheries sector Minister, Ms Sherry Ayittey, who received the items, expressed the government’s appreciation to the private sector for their annual support to farmers.
She thanked the donors and appealed to other individuals and organisations to also extend support to the farmers.
Fish farming
On behalf of the ministry, Ms Ayittey donated two tricycles to the 66 Artillery Regiment in the Volta Region to boost a fish farming initiative the soldiers are undertaking on a pilot basis.
She described the technology being used by the soldiers as effective and stated that the government would replicate the initiative in other communities to safeguard water bodies.
The ministry also donated similar tricycles to individual entrepreneurs who are engaged in the food chain business as part of measures to motivate the youth to venture into agriculture.
The Bosomtwi District Assembly was also presented with tricycles as part of efforts to help the youth find other alternative means of livelihood since climate change had affected fish stock in the lake.
Ms Ayittey further appealed to the youth to make themselves available for training in the rearing of fish in ponds and tanks which would be established in the district.
She again appealed to chiefs in the area to provide land for the project.
Writer’s email Doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh