The 2022 Overall Best National Farmer Nana Yaw Serebuor has urged the government to make farming very attractive to the youth.
The 43-year-old mechanical Engineer also Akyimpemhene of Asante Juaben said agriculture is a business with the potential of creating jobs for the youth and helping the economy grow however must be made “sexy” to attract the youth through the provision of incentives and infrastructure such as good roads to farming communities and provide irrigation facilities for all day round farming.
Speaking to the media, he stated that the sector is lucrative however there are challenges that make it unattractive to the youth which must be addressed by the government.
He assured of serving as a good ambassador to encourage the youth in this regard to go into farming as a business.
Nana Yaw Sarpong Serebour was adjudged the 2022 national best farmer the climax of the National Farmers and Fishers Day celebration in Koforidua, the Eastern regional capital.
Nana Yaw Sarpong Serebuor has 22 years of experience in farming with 900 acres of oil palm, 63 acres of citrus, 65 acres of cocoa, 240 acres of maize, 17 acres of mango, 30 acres of cashew, 57 acres of cassava, 36 acres of cowpea.
He also has 17,500 poultry birds, 256 cattle, 72 sheep, 441 goats, 254 pigs, 104 grass cutters, and 7,000 snails among others.
He received a cash price award of Ghc1 million sponsored by Agriculture Development Bank (ADB), a Toyota KIA truck vehicle and enjoy two nights’ full board complimentary stay for two at the Peduase Valley Resort.
Nana Yaw is married and blessed with four children.
The first runner-up in the national best farmers’ awards went to Adjei Fosu Seth from Kintampo North.
He took home a tractor, trailer, ploughs, and sprayer.
The second runner-up also went to Professor Akwasi Asabre Ameyaw from Techiman North in the Bono East region. He was rewarded with a tractor with other Agriculture implements.
The National best female farmer went to Yaa Adjeley from Wassa. She received a cash prize of GHS100,000 and a study tour of Ghana.
Alex Cudjoe from Elmina in the Central region was also adjudged National Best Fisherman. He received a double cabin truck.
Christiana Modzifa from West Gonja was the first runner-up for the fisheries and Aquaculture category. She received a modified tricycle, outboard motor and deep freezer and a 44-inch television.
Clement Addai Anokye from Kyebi in the Eastern region was the second runner-up. He received a modified tricycle outboard motor and deep freezer.
Other winners on the day included Joyce Dapaah (Most enterprising female farmer), Peter Paintsil (National best Most promising young cocoa farmer), and Bobie Akutusi (National Best shear nut picker).
The 38th National farmers’ day celebration was under the theme “Accelerating agricultural development through value addition” and was held at the Jubilee park in Koforidua.
The President of the Republic of Ghana H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo has reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerate the agriculture modernization and transformation agenda as part of measures to reduce the importation of foods a key contributor of food inflation accounting for the current economic hardship.
According to the President, this effort will require strong inter-sector coordination at all levels and effective engagement and collaboration with the private sector and all agri stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem.
He further highlighted that institutions such as the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) and the pipeline strategic institutions like the Grains Development Authority (GDA) will be strengthened in supporting to deliver effectively on their strategic mandates.
As part of an effort by the government to unlock the potential of the grain industry to help increase value addition, gain market access and achieve higher productivity, the President said currently a bill is before parliament requesting approval to amend the erstwhile Grain Development Authority Act 1970 (ACT. 234) to provide for the establishment of a body Cooperate to Regulate Promote and Coordinate development of the Grain industry.
He said the Authority with private sector participation will coordinate actors of the grain industry to achieve higher productivity , gain market access and increase value addition adding that the effort will also maximize the benefit from the grain sector through effective regulation.
Additionally, the president said the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector as an essential component of the agric sector has provided employment to some 3 million people, therefore the government will continue to implement sustainable fisheries management measures to help conserve the dwindling marine fisheries resources to sustain the sector for future generation and create more job opportunities.
The President revealed that the government has granted 3 key approval for the fisheries ministry, which are the automation of premix fuel distribution at landing beach, the implementation of a new National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and the Preparation of the new Fisheries Act to replace the current Act 625.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto the Akufo Addo-led government has invested 2.5 billion in subsidies since 2017 which has actualized a 4 billion cedis yield.
Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development -Hawa Koomson said fish value addition in Ghana is on a small scale and uses traditional methods such as smoking, and salting which has safety concerns, therefore, requires the development of the capacity of fishmongers to use technology to improve processing.
He said efforts are gearing towards this direction through strategic partnerships for the production of fish powder, and fish sausage among others.
Additionally, she said two fish processing centres have been established.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
