Ayeeko to our farmers - NPP

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) wishes to extend its profound gratitude on the occasion of Farmers Day to all who have made contributions in diverse ways towards the sustenance of the agricultural sector of the economy and for the well being of our people.

As we celebrate and admonish the achievements of our gallant farmers throughout the length and breadth of this country, the leadership of the NPP recognises the enormous contribution of both peasant and commercial farmers in ensuring that there is regular supply of food to feed the nation, and for export notwithstanding the fact that our agriculture is almost exclusively represented by small holder activity farming on plots less than 1.5 hectares.

We therefore urge government to support and subsidise the agricultural sector, by showing commitment to the plight of our farmers, by addressing challenges facing the agricultural sector which are primarily, access to credit, poor infrastructure including lack of irrigation development, insufficient and inadequate storage facilities, high transport cost, land acquisition and land tenure issues in the food crop, livestock, fisheries, cocoa and forestry sub sectors of our agro economy.

In recent months, other major challenges that have engulfed us as people has been the unreliable or erratic energy supply and high cost of utilities. These have culminated in having adverse repercussions on businesses including agro processing and storage at a time that the water level at the Akosombo Dam is at an all time high, leading to spillage. The situation requires urgent attention since new forms of energy generation have been provided.

NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY

Headquarters, Private Mail Bag, Accra-North, Ghana

Tel: +233 21 227 737 / 229 030 / 228 104 Fax: +233 21 229 048

Email: nppdcom@gmail.com

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We also urge the private sector to help finance medium and large scale agricultural enterprises to transform our agriculture into a highly productive and more efficient sector capable of achieving and sustaining a 6% annual growth rate in the medium term in order to reduce poverty and accelerate economic growth.

The NPP hopes to make a concerted effort at improving agricultural productivity, incomes and employment opportunities in order to contribute effectively to balance of payments and establish effective agriculture and industry linkages and further modernise the sector through mechanisation, irrigation and improved technologies for accelerated development when given the opportunity.

Furthermore, the NPP will work on retirement and health packages for our farmers in their old age.

Finally we congratulate award winners for this year for their hard work, dedication and resilience under the circumstances.

To all we say AYEKOO!!

ENDS

For further information please contact the Communications Directorate, Party Headquarters, Asylum Down.

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie

General Secretary

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