Tarkwa Hosts 39th Farmers’ Day Tomorrow

…MP, Regional Minister, Others Poised For Maiden W/R Edition 

For the first time, the Western Region is poised to host the National Farmers’ Day celebration slated for tomorrow at Tarkwa in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, with all stakeholders feverishly prepared for the event.

The national event, which is the 39th edition, will be marked at the auditorium of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), on the theme, “Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience.”

Ahead of the D-day tomorrow, stakeholders in the region, led by the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa, George Mireku Duker, are said to be leaving no stone unturned with all necessary preparations to ensure the event achieves a success.

The event, which promises to be a momentous celebration in honour of the nation’s gallant farmers and fisherfolk, will be graced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, ministers of state and top government officials, among others.

It is expected to attract about 2,000 participants and will be attended by traditional rulers, policymakers and researchers, as well as members of the public.

In all, 15 award categories are up for grabs and these are the Overall National Best Farmer, the First and Second runners-up, National Best Livestock Farmer, National Best Female Farmer and National Best Physically Challenged Farmer.

The rest are the Best Fisher, Best Marine Fisher, Best Inland Fisher, Best Fisher Farmer, Best Fish Processor, Best Cocoa Farmer, Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, Best Most Enterprising Cocoa Farmer and the Best Shea Nut Picker.

The Western Region, apart from its riches in mineral resources, like gold and manganese, as well as oil, is also known for producing cocoa and timber, among other agricultural foodstuff, including fishing. The Anchor is informed, that region alone produces about 50% of Ghana’s Cocoa beans.

The Western Region’s contributions to the development of the country’s agricultural sector has been enormous, as about 58 per cent of the indigenes are into agriculture.

The region is the nation’s largest producer of cocoa, rubber, coconut and one of the major producers of oil palm, while having the potential to become a major producer of rice and livestock.

In terms of fish production, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture reports that about 45 per cent of fish on the Ghanaian markets are from the region.

Arrangements

Meanwhile, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) reports that as a prelude to the national awards night same day, there would be a Regional Celebration where the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Okyere Darko-Mensah, will confer regional honour son deserving farmers.

Mr. John Kwamina Gyimah, the Western Regional Director of Agriculture, told the GNA in an interview that the national awardees would arrive in the regional capital, Sekondi-Takoradi, on Thursday, November 30, to pay a courtesy call on the Regional Minister and other dignitaries.

They would also be taken through some rehearsals before proceeding to Tarkwa, where the event would be held.

On what the celebration meant to the region, he noted that: “The 39th edition of the farmers’ day comes to us a business blessing and a massive window of opportunity to showcase the economic potential of agricultural production in terms of crop, fish and animal productions.”

Mr. Gyimah said the event would expose farmers to new strategies to improve upon agricultural production, including technology for marketing on both the local and international landscapes, job creation, capacity development and partnerships.

“At this great meeting, all stakeholders in the agriculture industry, both local and international, are going to be present to explore the various agro-ecological production zones in the Western Region,” he said.

“I believe many of them will remain here to establish new value chains due to our great potential, coupled with good weather and agronomic conditions for successful production in all sectors.”

Beyond the celebration, Mr. Gyimah said his team would create opportunities for continuous engagement with industry players and interested groups to attract investment and create jobs for the youth.

This year’s celebration would be preceded by a five-day national agricultural festival, dubbed: “AgriFest Ghana 2023,” from Monday November 27 to Friday, December 1.   It will be held on the principal streets of the ministerial enclave in Accra.

Source: Anchorghana.com