On December 1, 2023, at Tarkwa in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, the Western Region will hold the 39th National Farmers’ Day. All the preparations are complete.
Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience is the theme of this event, which is graciously sponsored by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The competition has fifteen different prize categories. The National Best Farmer—as well as the First and Second Runners-Up, the National Best Farmer in General, the National Best Female Farmer, and the National Best Farmer with a Physical Disability.
The Best Nut, the Best Fisher, the Best Marine Fisher, the Best Inland Fisher, the Best Fisher Farmer, the Best Fish Processor, the Best Cocoa Farmer, the Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, and the Best Cocoa Farmer hold the remaining slots.
On the same day, as an introduction to the national awards night, the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, would confer regional honors on deserving farmers during a regional celebration.
Over 60% of Ghana’s labor force is employed in the agricultural value chain, and the sector generates 20% of the nation’s GDP.
The Western Region has made major contributions to the expansion of the agricultural economy, since 58% of the nation’s indigenous people are employed in the agricultural sector.
Not only is this region the nation’s leading producer of coconuts, rubber, and cocoa, but it also has the potential to become a major rice and cattle producer. Additionally, it is a leading producer of oil palm.
According to estimates from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the region produces about 45% of the fish that is marketed in Ghana.
It also possesses an abundance of natural resources, including as gold, oil, and bauxite, which greatly add to its economic importance in relation to the advancement of the country.
The Western Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. John Kwamina Gyimah, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that the national winners will pay a courtesy call on Thursday, November 30, in Sekondi-Takoradi, the regional capital.
They would also practice a bit before heading to Tarkwa, the event’s location.
Regarding the importance of the event for the region, he stated, “The 39th edition of the Farmers Day comes to us a business blessing and a massive window of opportunity to showcase the economic potential of agricultural production in terms of crop, fish, and animal productions.”
Mr. Gyimah claims that the event will expose farmers to new ideas for raising agricultural productivity, such as partnerships, job development, capacity building.
