The Ho West District celebrated the 38th Farmer’s Day at Dodome Avexa on 2nd December, 2022 to honour our gallant farmers for their hard work and contributions to national development. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Accelerating Agriculture Development through value addition.
Hon. Ernest Victor Apau, District Chief Executive of Ho West in his speech explained that the concept of value addition in Agriculture will lead to additional revenue generation, job creation, foreign exchange earnings and effective post-harvest management.
He disclosed that the Agriculture sector has received tremendous support from the government through massive investment aimed at transforming and modernising the sector. He added that government has also taken measures to improve the value chain addition by building the capacity of actors in the Agriculture value chain to ensure the production of safe and quality food products.
The DCE encouraged members to patronize made in Ghana foods, since eating locally produced foods will not only help to increase income of farmers but will also help to exhibit our indigenous culture, expand the local economy and growth for district and national development.
He used the opportunity to advise drivers plying the roads to exercise a lot of patience whilst driving as the Christmas festivity draw close.
The District Director of Agriculture, Mr. Seth Rashid Asuo stressed the need for farmers to add value to their products to minimise post-harvest losses.
According to him, a total of 6,453 farmers have been registered to benefit from the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) programme and that 6,500 citrus seedlings, 3,200 oil palm seedlings, 23,000 coconut seedlings and 6,000 cashew seedlings were made available and distributed across the district. In addition, farmers were trained in brooding of day on chicks and Cockerel production under the Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ). He said the department has also introduced Livestock improvement programme to help improve high performing of breeding of goat.
Mr Asuo said the Agric Department will continue to support and corporate with farmers to the achievement of the sector goals for improvement of the economic and social life of the citizenry.
The Chief of Dodome Teleafenu, Togbe Kodzani III who was the chairman of the program urged the Agric Department to train farmers in various farming techniques which include but not limited to crop planting, organic fertilizer preparation and application, pest control and packaging and other best practices to improve yeild.
Mr Elinam Ansawoe, Senior Community Nurse of the District Health Directorate also took the opportunity to educate the public on HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 related issues. He noted that the increase in HIV cases in the country is alarming and therefore urged everyone to test for the virus to know his/her status. He further advised the public to adhere to all COVID-19 safety protocols and shun stigma against persons living with the virus/disease since the fight against these diseases is a shared responsibility.
In all fourteen (14) farmers were awarded. The overall best farmer went to Biakpa Citrus Plantation and the 1st and 2nd runner up went to Mr. Zibrila Ibrahim and Mr. Ali Fawise respectively. Items received by the awardees included; Tricycle, Wellington Boots, Knapsack Sprayer, Mattress, Mesh, Refrigerator, TV Set, Agrochemicals and Cutlass among others.
The event was graced by the District Chief Executive, District Coordinating Director, Hon. Assembly Members, Chiefs and Elders of various communities, Member of Parliament Rep, Heads of Departments, Award Winners, Security Services, NPP Constituency Chairman, NDC Constituency Chairman, staff of the Assembly Exhibitors, media and the general public.
Source: ISD, HO WEST DISTRICT
