40th National Farmers’ Day celebration commences

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has officially launched the 40th National Farmers' Day celebration in Accra. 

The event marks the start of a five-day exhibition which would lead to the grand awards ceremony on Friday, November 8, 2024, where President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will present awards to deserving farmers in various commodity categories.

It is on the theme: "Building climate-resilient agriculture for sustainable food security," a commitment by the government to adapt agricultural practices in response to climate change challenges.

The exhibition would provide a platform for farmers from different regions to showcase their produce, ranging from cassava, yam and maize, to livestock and aquatic foods.

One of the key highlights of this year’s celebration is the Farmers’ Forum scheduled for tomorrow, which will be facilitated by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).

The forum will serve as a platform to discuss critical issues in the agricultural sector. 

Commitment

The acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Paul Siameh, expressed the government’s commitment to support farmers to mitigate potential food shortages in the country amid challenges such as near-drought conditions in eight major grain-producing regions.

“We have seen positive rainfall patterns, particularly in the Upper East Region, which gives hope for crops that are planted late.

“In addition, the ministry is aiding farmers with fertilisers and other resources to ensure high productivity.

“MoFA, alongside partners and stakeholders, remain committed to ensuring food security and boosting productivity across the various sectors,” he added.

Food supply

Mr Siameh further said that currently, the food supply situation in the country was stable and that measures were in place to prevent deficits early next year.

“We have sufficient food in the system, and have also set up contingency plans to address any shortfalls,” he added, and urged traders to refrain from unjustified price hikes during the festive season in December this year.

In the poultry sector, Mr Siameh acknowledged that production had fallen short of national demand.

“The government is supporting farmers with chicks, feed and medication. These interventions are expected to lead to an increase in poultry supply ahead of the Christmas period,” he said.