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The 36th edition of this year’s National Farmer’s Day will be held at Techiman in the Bono East Region on November 6, 2020.
The national event will have as theme: “Development of Agribusiness under Covid 19 – Opportunities and Challenges”.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Minister Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, speaking at the launch of the event in Accra, said the choice of theme was to highlight the new orientation for all actors along the agricultural value chain.
“The challenges and opportunities presented by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic reinforce the government’s priority placed on the agricultural sector.
“For us in the sector, including fisheries, we have the assurance that our farmers and fishermen can continue their livelihoods with the support of the government and its partners, even in times of emergency,” he said.
He said the country’s agricultural sector was moving from subsistence and primary production to value-added production and agribusiness.
He expressed the government’s commitment to the growth of the sector through its flagship programs such as Sowing for food and employment, Sowing for export and rural development.
Ms. Quaye said that the Ministry was building 12 fish landing sites and fishing ports in selected communities to improve fish management and reduce post-harvest losses.
He added that the Ministry was implementing Aquaculture for Food and Employment as part of the Planting for Food and Employment initiative to increase national fish production and create decent work opportunities along the value chain.
This, he explained, would create 3,000 direct jobs and 33,000 metric tons of fish per year.
The Minister of State for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Nurah Gyiele, said the event was to recognize the immense role that farmers play in the growth of the country.
Mr. Gyiele, who is also the chair of the National Planning Committee, said that this year’s Best National Farmer would receive a cash award of ¢ 100,000.
“As a ministry, we exist to ensure that farmers and fishermen receive the best services in the form of technical support, inputs and infrastructure facilities to promote their business,” he said.
