38TH NATIONAL FARMERS’ DAY CELEBRATION OFFICIALLY OPENED

The 4-day Agricultural exhibition preceding the 38th Edition of the National Farmers’ Day on Friday, 2nd December 2022 was officially opened. The fair offers various stakeholders in the agricultural value chain the opportunity to showcase the potential of agriculture in the regions.

The fair also shows the successes chalked under the major agricultural flagship programs such as the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme (PFJ) which was launched at the beginning of the Government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, in 2017 and among others.

Addressing the public, the Honourable Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, speaking under the theme “Accelerating Agricultural Development through Value Addition”, the Agricultural Minister indicated that the theme was inspired by the imperatives of the time which requires strengthening food systems to sustain national food security.
Dr. Akoto believed that to sustain the gains made under the PFJ program and accelerate growth, there was a need to strengthen the implementation efficiency, and focus more on value addition and knowledge sharing of successes chalked over the years.
He, consequently, reaffirmed his position that the recent high food prices prevailing in urban markets were not an indication of the unavailability of food in the country but attributed it to high transport costs and abnormal charges demanded by traders.

The Honourable Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong highlighted the unique diversity of the agroecological zones and vegetation of the region which made it contribute greatly to the food basket of the nation.
He added that over the past four years, the region had been the leading producer of Cassava, second in the production of Maize, and third and fourth in Plantain and Yam, respectively.
Hon. Acheampong finally entreated the public to visit the Regional Commodity Satellite Market; an initiative of the Minister of Agriculture in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders to provide a ready market for farmers from each District in the region to brand and market at least a product that each district has a comparative advantage.