Skip to main content

Agric Minister Praises Rice Farmers In Upper East Region

 


The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has disclosed that the government was talking to some African development banks for funds to support rice farming in the Upper East Region.

The sector Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, made the disclosure when he interacted with rice farmers at Gbedemgblisi in the Upper West region, as part of his tour in the northern part of the country.

While commending the rice farmers, he stressed that Upper East holds loads of potential for rice production.

We have noticed that this region [referring to Upper East] is a potential region for rice production as valleys are developed for rice farming,” he said.

He was upbeat that Ghana will become the rice production centre in the whole of the West African Sub-region.

On that score, Dr. Afriyie Akoto indicated that a bill had been sent to Parliament for a committee to be set up to reward in particular rice farmers in the Upper East.

However, he pleaded with the farmers to cooperate with the government to help stop illegal exportation of food to neighbouring countries.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Gbedemgbilisi, John Amogili, thanked the minister for the visit, adding that “your quest to develop here has really helped provide jobs for my people—we have over 1,000 workers working in the valleys.

He was happy to assert that currently the youth in Gbedemgbilis do not migrate to other towns to seek for jobs “because there are jobs here.”

He also noted that social vices in the community have reduced drastically.

For the rice farmers, they were very elated at the minister’s visit. However, they lamented that they were confronted with problems such as lack of a motorable roads, irrigation facilities, warehouses to store foodstuff.

From Gbedemgbilis, the Dr. Afriyie Akoto visited another rice factory at Fumbisi—Achaabwen Enterprise (Masim Rice). The Operations Manager of Achaabwen Enterprise, John Mensah Ganyaglo, bemoaned that they struggle to get raw materials to feed the factory, adding further that there was a lack of a ready market for their produce.

Dr. Afriyie Akoto rounded up the day by addressing a durbar of staff members of the ministry in the region and other stakeholders at the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council

He urged the rice farmers to switch to organic fertilisers, adding that “in the Savannah areas you could get plenty manure from livestock.”

I’ll entreat my directors to teach farmers how to use organic fertilisers. I’m really impressed with the yields despite the challenges you’ve been facing,” he expressed.

The minister told the gathering about the ban on exportation of food to Ghana’s neighboring countries.

“…but we keep hearing of smuggling of food, and this is really worrying,” the minister bemoaned.

I’ll entreat your all to report any form of such actions to the authorities. If they want their farmers to produce surpluses they should copy Planting for Food and Jobs. I plead with you to cooperate with the authorities to protect whatever is left in the country,” Dr. Afriyie Akoto pleaded.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

US-Based Doctor Supports Weija Leprosarium, Underprivileged Children In Ankaase With Cash & Food Items

 In a remarkable display of philanthropy, US-based medical practitioner, Dr. Kofi Kyei Sarfo, and the Sarfo family have made significant donations to support vulnerable communities in Ghana. During his visit to Ghana for the Christmas and New Year festivities, Dr. Sarfo and his family donated assorted food items and $5,000 to the Weija Leprosarium in Accra. This generous act aims to improve the lives of the inmates and support the tireless efforts of Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, founder of the Lepers Aid Committee. The donation to the Weija Leprosarium is a testament to Dr. Sarfo's commitment to giving back to his community. He praised Rev. Father Andrew Campbell for his selfless work in integrating cured lepers into society, emphasizing the need for continued support to ensure the well-being of the inmates. Dr. Sarfo encouraged others to follow in his footsteps, stating that every donation, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the lives of the inmates. The don...

Nestlé Ghana Limited Wins Overall Best Industrial Company Of The Year at 13th AGI Industry & Quality Awards

  Nestlé Ghana Limited has been honored with four prestigious awards at the 13th Association of Ghana Industry and Quality Awards ceremony. The event, held in an esteemed setting, gathered prominent figures from Ghana’s industrial sector. Amidst the anticipation, Nestlé Ghana emerged as one of the evening’s notable winners, securing accolades in several key categories. This recognition underscores Nestlé Ghana’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, marking a significant milestone that highlights the company’s substantial contributions to the manufacturing industry in Ghana. Nestlé Ghana's exceptional performance was acknowledged with the following awards: Overall Best National Quality Award, Diamond Category (Food) Overall Best Practices in Sustainable Manufacturing Best Company (Food Sector) Overall Industrial Company of the Year, affirming its status as a leader not only within the food sector but also across Ghana's entire industrial landscape. This success is a ...

Mfantsiman Girls to Host 65th Speech & Prize-Giving Day

  Mfantsiman Girls Senior High School is set to host the 65th Speech and Prize-giving Day and Homecoming from 14th to 16th March at Saltpond in the Central region. This year’s Speech and Prize-giving day is being hosted by the 2000-year group, and over 5000 old girls and students of Mfantsiman Girls are expected to attend the programme. Under the theme, ‘Leveraging New Media Technology to Optimize Girl Child Education,’ the event will emphasize the importance of harnessing technology to address the unique challenges faced by girls in accessing quality education, particularly in marginalized communities. By leveraging new media technology, we can create inclusive, interactive, and engaging learning environments that empower girls to reach their full potential. The theme will also serve as a call to action, encouraging students, educators, and stakeholders to explore innovative ways to integrate technology into girl child education, ultimately driving positive change and promoting a...