For 24 years now, the state has consistently honoured its hardworking farmers on whom it has depended over the years to feed the people. Indeed, a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for. What is interesting is that, the event gets bigger and better every year.  Originally this year’s Farmer’s Day was supposed to be marked on the first Friday in December but, due to the national elections it had to be shifted to today. 

Agriculture plays an important role in the life of every nation.  In Ghana, it is the most important economic sector employing more than half the population in a formal and internal basis.  Agriculture accounts for almost half  of Ghana ’s GDP export earnings.  It is true government has invested significantly in the rehabilitation of agriculture.  Primarily, through the use of loans and grants, government has directed Capital towards repairing and improving transportation and distribution infrastructure. In addition, specific projects aimed at increasing especially cocoa yield and the cocoa industry in general have been initiated. 

Today, severe forms of hunger as is being experienced in other countries, is no longer with us.  As the global economy suffers a recession in agriculture leading to increases in the prices of foodstuffs, not much of the impact is being felt in Ghana, thanks to our hard-working farmers and fishermen.  It is therefore regrettable we still import significant amount of agricultural produce even in raw form.  Feed and oil mills for variety of reasons import maize and Soya beans from Latin America or elsewhere rather than relying on Ghanaian's produce. 

It is on record, women play important roles in agricultural production particularly in the food sub-sector.  However, their role as producers and agents of change in the much needed rural transformation has been severely constrained by their meager share in the factors of production.  Most youth have deserted the farming communities for the urban centres in search of the so-called greener pastures leaving agriculture to the aged.  It is true farming in the tropics is quite a task. 

We therefore need to encourage people who are in it.  The youth must be motivated to take to farming. We must increase subsidy on agricultural research and development must be given a priority to equip or capacitate farmers.  We must invest extensively in irrigation given the background that the Tono and Vea Irrigation projects have been highly beneficial to farmers especially those in Upper East.  The situation where farmers produce for their toil to go waste due to lack of marking centers and bad roads to cart their farm produce are disincentive to productivity.  We need to construct silos to store bumper harvest and establish marketing centers like the erstwhile Food Distribution Company. 

It is encouraging some of the Presidential aspirants have indicated plans to set up agro-industries. This will help to add value to farm produce for exports.  As we honour our hard-working farmers today, let our media produce more programmes to offer extension services to farmers.  The impact made by AGRIMAG on GTV is crystal and more of such must be encouraged.  Land owners must release land to the youth for farming purposes. 

Fishing vessels which engage in pair-trawling must be prosecuted.  More pre-mix fuel must be given to fishermen to reduce their input cost.  People must be encouraged to construct fish-farms in their backyard.  In line with South-South Cooperation Ghana must join forces with one or two neighbouring countries to organize a bigger farmer’s day.  This will help our farmers to exchange ideas and technology as well as build capacity.  With the cost of food climbing fast we have no option than to invest more in agriculture.  For, food is energy. 

As we say "Ayekoo" to all dedicated and committed farmers, we urge them to continue to produce more to feed the people and to sustain the national economy.

BY: JUSTICE MINGLE – A JOURNALIST