National best farmer urges govt to prioritize Agric

Mrs Efuah Frempomaah, the 2004 National Best Farmer, has made an urgent appeal to the government to prioritize Agriculture, which is the back- borne of the economy.

She pointed out that the continuing neglect of the agricultural sector, would not promote food sufficiency and export.

The 2004 National Best Farmer who took some officials from the Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD) Division of the Ministry of Food and Agricultture, round her farm, lamented that the late supply of fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs to farmers, had affected food production in the country.

The WIAD delegation was led by Dr Mrs Opoku-Asiama Mary, the National Director, Ms Victoria Aniaku, Deputy Director, Ms Alice Dawson, Deputy Director, Angel Mmafiik Anyarick, official of (WIAD), and Ms Esther Akomani, Central Regional Director of WIAD.

Mrs Frempomaah, 87, took the directors round to inspect her 125-acre farm, comprising of cocoa, plantain, cocoyam, pepper, okro, sugar cane, cassava, corn and other cash and food crops.

She said cocoa production had gone down, as a result of delay in the supply of fertilizers and other chemicals to farmers in recent times.

The former national best farmer urged government to rescind her decision to cancel the provision of subsidies to farmers to enhance agricultural production.

She further urged government to create job opportunities for young graduates, especially those in the agricultural sector, to reduce poverty among Ghanaian youth.

Mrs Frempomaah who won the national Best farmer over 10 years ago, said many youngsters are prepared to venture into farming, and need motivation from the government.

She said for instance, land scarcity and lack of adequate financial support, had deterred many Ghanaian youth from entering into farming, resulting in their migration to urban areas to look for non-existing white colour jobs.

Dr Mrs Opoku-Asiama said their visit was to see how Mrs Frempomaah was feeling 10 years after winning the National Best Farmer as a woman.

She said the Directors from the WIAD Division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), were at her farms because the former national best farmer had also served as a role model for women in the Central Region, and the nation as a whole.

She said it would also encourage other women, especially young women in Agriculture, to emulate Mrs Frempomaah’s example of hard working, dedication and self-determination, in the agricultural sector.