The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund (EDAIF) has observed in Accra that it is important for Ghana to strengthen and build the capacity of farmers to become globally competitive.
Mr. Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku, stressed that farmers in the country need to be encouraged and supported by government as well as corporate institutions to add value to their produce in order to be able to compete in the world market.
Mr. Issahaku, made the observation when EDAIF presented a tractor with accessories to be presented to the second best farmer worth GH¢80,000 to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) on Thursday, in support of this year’s National farmers Day celebration.
Recognising the work of farmers in the country was important, he urged other corporate bodies to join the worthy cause of appreciating their good works.
Mr. Awere Owusu-Ansah, Executive Director of UniBank, presenting a cheque for GH¢20, 000 in support of the occasion, said the company believes in celebrating the work of farmers as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
“We are celebrating our customers this week and we think it would only be appropriate to also appreciate and celebrate the farmers and encourage them to continue to feed the nation.”
He urged farmers to work very hard in order to earn the recognition of government and corporate bodies.
Other companies including Agrana Ghana Limited also presented Agro chemical, disinfectants and nets worth GH¢ 2,020, and West African Markets Link presented a Tricycle to the Best Cashew Farmer, and a Motorcycle to the Best Cashew Extension Officer.
Mrs Cecelia Erzuah, Director, Finance and Administration of MoFA, expressed gratitude to the donors and asked other players in the private sector to come on board to support the 2012 Farmers day celebration to motivate farmers to contribute more towards the development of the economy.
The 28th edition of the Farmers day celebration is slated for November 2 at Abokobi in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, on the theme: “Grow more food: Strengthening Farmer Based Organisations for Market Place Bargaining Power.”
