Honorable Adansi-Bonah, MCE for Obuasi Municipal Assembly in his speech during the 39th National Farmers’ day celebration in Obuasi, lauded the government for introducing the Phase II of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program which he said was to consolidate the gains of the Planting for Food and Jobs program rolled out in 2017.
Targeted at building on the successes of the initial program, the second phase of the program is a five-year master plan for the transformation of agriculture in Ghana through modernization by the development of selected commodity value chains and active private sector participation.
He charged farmers and the people of Obuasi to take full advantage of the program and other interventions rolled out by government in tbe Agricultural sector to improve their livelihoods.
The Municipal Director of Agriculture Yaw Owusu Donkor Junior commended farmers in the Municipality for their relentless efforts and key role in the Socio-Economic development of the country.
Touching on tbe theme for this year’s edition of the national farmers’ day, ” Delivering Smart solutions for sustainable food security and resilience”, the Agric Director said, it was to draw the country’s attention to the rationale behind the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs program rolled out in 2017 which was to deliver target solutions to the challenges within the agricultural sector.
He said it was worthy to note that farmers, despite their challenges continue to work hard hard and demonstrate high levels of resilience to live up to their mandate of ensuring food security.
He advised farmers to work closely with the Extension officers and follow their instructions and directives. He said this will help them adopt the right farming methods. He also encouraged them to form farm based organisations which will enable them get a united front to fight for their interest.
After a thorough farm visits and assessment by the MOFA department of the Obuasi Municipal, 51 year old Godfred Klomega of Nhyiaeso in the Obuasi Municipality was adjudged the 2023 Municipal Best Farmer.
Mr. Klomega, who has 23.5 acre of deveoped land and into intercrop production, fish farming, livestock production, took home 40-inch LED TV, Motorised Tricycles (Aboboyaa), 2 Wellington Boots, 12 piece of GTP wax print, 1box of Key soap, 2 Knapsack sprayers, machetes, and 1box of Sunphosate Glyphosate Weedicide and 1 brush cutter, all sponsored by AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine.
In his speech, he talked about the economic benefits of agriculture. He said his standard of living has improved since he ventured into agriculture 23 years ago with one of his children now a medical doctor.
He encouraged the youth to develop interest in agriculture stressing that the benefits involved are enormous.
“What I can tell the youth is that, Agriculture has a lot of benefits. I am a beneficiary and I encourage everybody to develop interest in it”.
He also advised farmers to work closely with the Agric Extension officers who will help them adopt and apply the right technology in their farms.
The Second best farmer went to Francis Coffee from Mampamhwe No.2 whiles 11 other farmers and an extension officer were awarded by the Assembly.