The youth have been urged to venture into farming for wealth creation and the promotion of food security in the country.
Describing the sector as profitable, the District Chief Executive of the Bole District, Madam Veronica Alele Heming, who gave the advice encouraged the populace to see farming as a business capable of alleviating poverty.
She bemoaned the unwillingness of most Ghanaian youth to take up farming despite the venture being capable of putting one on the path of financial freedom.
She made these statements at this year’s 37th edition of the national Farmers’ Day of the Bole District in Tinga on Friday, 3rd December, 2021 which was on the theme “Planting for food and jobs, consolidating food systems in Ghana”.
According to her, Ghanaians owe a huge debt to the nation’s farmers for their contribution in feeding the nation and contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
“The agriculture sector employs about 60% of Ghanaians and I will encourage the teaming youth of our country to venture into the enterprise. Don’t just depend on white colour jobs, venture into agriculture and you can make it like any other successful person”, she said.
She also noted that the government has put in place measures and initiatives to attract the youth into agriculture through the planting for food and jobs policy which is focused on food production and job creation.
“The Bole District has distributed maize seed to a total of 356 individuals. We have also nursed and grown 70,500 seedlings and have distributed them to 300 males and 197 females as part of the planting for food and jobs policy, rearing for food and jobs and agriculture mechanization services”, she added.
The District Agric Director, Alhaji Mumuni Ibrahim disclosed in a speech that agriculture remains the pillar of Ghana’s economy but it’s contribution to total GDP has however reduced according to the Ghana Statistical Service.
He added that with the increase in the country’s population in the recent populat weion census from 30 to 30.8 million, the demand for food for both local and foreign consumption keeps increasing.
He noted in the bole district 497 farmers have benefited from the planting for export and rural development while 356 farmers have benefited from the planting for food and jobs.
However, he also disclosed that due to the challenge of getting subsidized fertilizers, destruction of farms by alien herds,high cost of labour, indiscriminate bush burning among others have resulted to low production figures this year.
That notwithstanding, Mr. Umar Soaley Moses from Maluwe was adjudged overall District best farmer for the Bole District while Kuunafaa Regina from Doli was awarded as the best District female farmer.
Other categories for the awards included the best District youth farmer, best District physically challenged farmer and others who were given packs of roofing sheet, cutlasses, wellington boot, knapsack sprayer, tricycles certificates among others.
The official Ghana Farmer’s Day on the first Friday in December, December 3 this year, celebrates the country’s farmers and fishermen. The agricultural industry contributes at least 20% to 30% of revenue to the country’s socio-economic fronts.
The import and export business generates an income for many households, and allows the economic industry to thrive.
However, issues, such as climate change, have had a negative impact on the industry.
The agricultural industry faced similar challenges during the early 1980s but fought hard to grow it, which led to the observance of Ghana Farmer’s Day.
It’s a day to recognize and award the hard working farmers and fishermen.
Source: yagbonradioonline/Issah Zakaria
