By Alexander Nyarko Yeboah, GNA
Tema (G/R), Dec 6, GNA - The Tema Metropolitan Assembly has lauded the work of local farmers who have contributed to the sustainance of society, during this year's Farmers Day celebrations.
The 35th celebration is on the theme, “Enhancing Small Scale Agriculture towards Agribusiness Development,” and acknowledges the tireless efforts of farmers and fisher folks.
In a speech, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Tema, Mr. Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La, said “government envisaged that growing the capacity of small scale farmers by providing them with the needed extension services and inputs would enable them increase their yield.
In that regard, Mr. Nii Annag-La informed that a total of 700 farmers throughout the Metropolis had benefited from the distribution of subsidized hybrid maize seeds, Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) seeds as well as vegetable seeds.
“In addition, a total of 1,072 farmers have also benefited from 4,500 bags of NPK and Urea Fertilizers. Other interventions were rolled out through Adepa, E-Master and Agoo to fight the infestation of the fall army worm in the Metropolis,” he informed.
The MCE said the Assembly in collaboration with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) and the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was coming out with modern processing techniques with the introduction of the ‘Ahotor Oven’ “for use by our women who were hitherto using traditional methods which were not environmentally friendly.”
Mr. Anang-La said he had interest in the operations of Premix at the Canoe Basin, Tema Newtown, with his primary concern being to ensure equitable distribution of premix fuel so that all fishermen would stay in business.
The Tema Metropolitan Director of Agriculture, Mrs. Dora Ankrah, in a welcoming address, said the time had come to gradually shift the focus of agriculture from a subsistence farming approach to agribusiness which would see agriculture as a means of ensuring economic growth.
Mrs. Ankrah informed that the Tema Metro Directorate of Agriculture would continue to provide support to farmers as Government strove to make agriculture a business activity that would transform the national economy.
Mr. Mohammed Eshun was adjudged the best farmer for Tema Metropolis
Mr. Eshun has 12 acres of Onion, four acres of maize, 12 acres of Okro, four acres of Bonnet Pepper, four acres of Green Pepper, one acre of Plantain, 0.7 acre of Cassava, 100 Sheep, 70 Local birds, 20 Guinea fowls, 165 Snails, and three Ducks and employs nine permanent workers and 90 casual workers.
For his award, he was given a Motor Tricycle, two Willington Boots, a Bicycle, a Wheel Barrow, a half piece Wax Cloth, one bag of Fertilizer, one box of Soil Magic, ten pieces of Cutlass, Assorted items, two Knapsack Sprayers, and one Radio set at a total cost of 9,895 Ghana Cedis.
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