Madam Hilda Huadzi, Director for Women in Agric Development in the Lower Manya Krobo municipality of the Eastern region has given assurances that preparations are ongoing for the celebrations of the upcoming Farmers’ Day in the municipality.
However, though choosing a venue for the event is one of the most important processes in the organization of the event, the assembly is yet to agree on a venue, less than a month to the celebrations.
The National Farmers Day is commemorated each year on the first Friday of December to honour our gallant Farmers and Fishers. The event acknowledges the vital position Farmers and Fishers occupy in the nations socio-economic development.
“The selection process of a venue for the event is a major priority and the committee has suggested a community in the ‘middle belt’ which will be discussed with the Assembly members to determine whether to hold the event there or take it elsewhere,” Madam Huadzi said.
Budget
According to her, the planning committee for the event has already prepared and submitted a budget to the Assembly for approval while the various Agricultural Extension Agents have also nominated their contenders for the various fields of the award categorization including the overall best farmer.
Criteria
There are other committees which consist of the assembly and the Agric departments which inspect the various farms and look at the farmers with series of interviews and figure out farmers “who use the right methods and technology in their farming and portray a good behavior without bullying or cheating.”
She added that the team is following the old criteria of awarding farmers. These criteria, she indicated does not include the educational background of farmers.
“Whether you are a degree holder, masters, a PHD or doctorate holder does not come into play but a farmer who adopts the right technology in farming in his determination to feed the country is qualified,” she clarified.
Role of agric officers
The WIAD Director also said the Agric officers inspect the farms of the nominees and inspect the farms on why he or she should be nominated which includes all the areas like crops, processing, and animals. She emphasized that they do not take money from farmers before nominating them for the awards.
In particular, Ghana acknowledges farmers and fishers’ untiring efforts at feeding our growing population, providing raw materials to the nation’s industries, and contributing substantially to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.
Prizes are awarded to deserving farmers and fishers in order of best practices and outputs.
Source: Nana Ama Sarfo /ritefmonline.org/amasarfo297@gmail.com
