An indigene of Atsiaklobor in the Ketu South municipality, Mr. Mawuwoe Xesumali, is the overall best farmer for the Volta region for 2023.
He has cultivated 52 acres of maize, 50 acres of cassava, 10 acres of cowpea, 35 acres of rice, 36 acres of vegetables, and several cattle among others.
For his prize, Mr. Xesumali received a certificate, a tricycle, 2 bags of fertilizer, 3 knapsack sprayers, 7 cutlasses, 3 wellington boots, and assorted agrochemicals.
In an interview with RGG News, Mr Xesumali said the honours will spur him on to win a national award. He encouraged the youth to venture into farming to make a living because agriculture is a lucrative business if properly invested into.
In all, the region honoured 9 farmers including the best Agric worker, best female farmer, best physically challenged farmer, best fisher, best youth farmer, best livestock farmer, and best processing group.
Volta regional minister Dr. Archibald Letsa, said through innovation flagship programs like the Planting for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export and Rural Development, and Rearing for Food and Jobs, the Agriculture sector employs about 41% of the country’s labour force. He says as part of the implementation strategy of the Planting for Food and Jobs Phase 1, some farmers have been offered subsidised inputs such as fertilisers and seeds.
The regional director of agriculture, Mr William Dzamefe, said the region which produces over 20 % of the local stock of rice for Ghana had over 470 hectares of its rice farms affected by the Akosombo dam spillage. He added that 2500 hectares of cassava, 2000 hectares of maize, and over 360 hectares of vegetables have also been destroyed. In the midst of all the gloom, he assured affected farmers that the Regional Coordinating Council will liaise with appropriate stakeholders to assist them with planting materials and fertilisers during the next farming season.
This year’s national Farmer’s Day coincided with World AIDS Day. In an address to mark the day, the regional technical coordinator of the Ghana Aids Commission, Mary Asheley Anyomi said approximately 17000 persons are living with HIV in the region. She said people living with AIDS must not be stigmatized and discriminated against but rather be given the needed care and encouraged to access treatment.
The Volta regional farmer’s day which was held on the sidelines of the Volta Fair 2023 had the theme “Delivering smart solutions for sustainable food security and resilience”.
