The award ceremony will be held at Somanya in the eastern region of Ghana. The minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi said during the launch of fundraising towards the celebration that, the day is not to make merry and present prizes only, but also to express key policies relevant to the agric sector and showcase its performance.
The day is marked as a national holiday because more than 70% of Ghanaians are subsistence farmers. Also 100% of Ghanaians in one way or the other depend on these farmers for their food.
In 2009, the national farmers’ day was held at Wa in the upper west region of Ghana. Some previous best farmers include Thomas Ahima (1988)David Korboe, Kwamina Danso for oil, cassava, maize and poultry, Salam Akate for poultry and Efua Frimpoma the only female.
At the district and community level, several activities such as durbars and fun fairs are organized for school children and the general public to mark the day.
After 25years of honouring hardworking farmers, agriculture is still not the highest contributor to our national income.
Farmer’s day aims to
1. Bring all farmers together to forster unity and cooperation
2. To appreciate efforts of farmers
3. To encourage the youth to be involved in agric
4. To explain government policies and introduce modern methods in agric
As it is done every year, many companies and banks have donated cars, cash, farming implements and many other equipment to the government to be used as prizes for various positions. There are many categories, cocoa, foodstuff, animal husbandry and poultry. An overall best farmer is then chosen from this category.
The national best farmer is awarded with a car, cash cheque, farming equipments and a four bed room house.
The competition to win the highest award, overall best farmer is very keen. The farmer’s day celebration is gradually encouraging subsistence farmers to produce on large scale.
Agriculture still continues to be the backbone of Ghana’s economy and therefore Ghana will continue to celebrate its dear farmers.
NEWS REPORT BY: Awurabena and Rebecca