36TH NATIONAL FARMERS’ DAY CELEBRATION, HOHOE MUNICIPAL

The 36th National farmers’ day celebration, Hohoe Municipal event took place at ST’ Francis College of Education Auditorium on Friday, 6th November, 2020 under the theme “Ensuring Agric Business Development under COVID19, Opportunities and Challenges”.

Togbe Adzofuwusu IV, the Divisional Chief of Gbi-Atabu who was the chairperson for the occasion said in his welcome address that, Covid19 has slowed down the pace of every economic activity in Hohoe Municipality and the country as a whole, but farmers have not given up in producing to feed their households and for economic purposes.

He said, the theme for the celebration was chosen to encourage and urge farmers to look for other opportunities in the agricultural sector and to use technology to produce more food to feed the nation since the country’s development is not dependent on infrastructure alone “Development is incomplete when we are hungry”. Though there are challenges like high cost of farming inputs and access to bank loans at high interest rates, it should not deter anyone from venturing into farming, He said.

Hohoe Municipal Director of Agriculture, Madam Sandra Ofori said in her address that, the celebration emphasised the need to focus on the development of Agribusiness to bring about development during the pandemic.

Madam Ofori said, Covid19 has brought about challenges in the extension delivery. The weekly meetings between field or extension officers and farmers have to be reduced and they have turned to the use of phones calls and radio.

She said, the Directorate has established 24 maize and 4 home garden sites, 16 rice and livestock demonstrations across the municipality including demonstrations on food processing like fortified gari and turmeric.

She further said, more than 75 per cent of people in the Municipality are involved in agriculture in commercial or subsistence.

Hon. Andrews Teddy Ofori, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive in his address, acknowledged the farmers and fishermen within the municipality for working tirelessly in producing enough to feed citizens.

Hon Teddy Ofori said, there is hope for the agriculture sector under the NPP government since there are avenues to grow more foods, produce raw materials for local industry consumption. Under the NPP, there is a Rural Technology Solution Centre in Hohoe to manufacture farming tools and also a rice factory.

He further stated that, the Municipal Assembly through the department of agriculture in collaboration with local radio stations to start airing educational programs on agriculture to farmers on agronomic practices in production and animal rearing.

He also appealed to the public to avoid indiscriminate and careless activities that would cause bushfires since it would destroy farms and properties.

The ceremony was used to award some deserving hardworking farmers in the municipality.

Five (5) individuals received knapsack sprayers, a set of wellington boots and cutlasses as consolation prizes.

Mr Clemence Yaw Atta from Likpe Kukurantumi, received the best Physically Challenged Farmer award, Madam Rebecca Mensah, received the Municipal Best Processor award and Madam Martha Gamor took the municipal Best Agriculture worker award.

Mr Emmanuel Ababio was adjudged the overall Hohoe Municipal best farmer for the year 2020.

As his prize, he took home a radio set, certificate, a knapsack sprayer and a deep freezer.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Ababio urged the youth to venture into farming since farming pays. He appealed to the government to support farmers with incentives including loans with low interest rate and chemicals in this Covid19 pandemic era.

In attendance were some Chiefs from the traditional councils in the Municipality, staff of Ministry of Agric, Heads of departments, the Security agencies and some families of the awardees.

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