The Minister says farmers in the three northern regions have displayed courage, commitment and perseverance towards the fight against the deadly pests, stressing that their efforts ought to be acknowledged and commended.
Delivering a speech during an official tour to some parts of the three northern regions to inspect farms currently being supported under the Youth In Agriculture Programme (YIAP) in collaboration with MASARA and RMG, Hon. Dr. Bambangi pointed out that throughout the tour, he has seen successful stories of how farmers have combated the armyworms infestations through the collaborative efforts of MOFA, RMG and farmers’ groups.
He also obseved that farmers have efficiently utilized the inputs supplied to them.
“
Minister-commends-spirited-northern-farmers1-Indeed, I am quite impressed about the efforts of our devoted farmers, especially in the Sissala East and West Districts; from my observation of your farming activities. I must commend you for your efforts in maintaining your farms. The farms look very good and well maintained. You are true professional farmers. You have successfully controlled the Fall Armyworms and you deserve commendations. Congratulations!!” the Minister noted.
The deputy minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Walewale Constituency, therefore charged other farmers to embrace Government’s flagship “Planting for Food and Jobs(PFJ)” policy in order to improve their incomes and livelihoods.
He said the PFJ policy was geared towards increasing food security and providing jobs for the teeming youth as encapsulated in the vision of His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo’s, to transform the economy of the country through agriculture.
According to him, the Government of the NPP places premium on making use of improved technologies in agriculture in order to maximize productivity and to address problems of marketing to enhance profitability, adding that this is being done through the carefully thought-through Planting for Food and Jobs programme.
“I will urge all farmers to embrace the flagship Planting for Food and Jobs Policy since it is the surest way farmers in the country can improve their lots” He said.
Hon. Dr. Sagre Bambangi therefore appealed to the farmers to respect the terms and agreements reached between the various partners including MASARA as well as Government in order to maintain the cordial relationship that exist between them.
On his part, the National Coordinator of the Youth In Agriculture and Aquaculture Programs, Mr. Klutse Kudomor, said the program had been hugely successful and that the country would anticipate a bumper harvest in maize this year.
He said the collaboration between the YIAP and MASARA has enhanced the involvement of more youth into agriculture while existing ones have upscaled their farm sizes, line with the Government’s vision of modernizing agriculture and improving the lives of youth farmers in the country.
An executive officer of MASARA, Mr. Samuel Sey praised the the new design of the Youth in Agriculture Programme. He said the new approach of involving private sector agribusines to attract the youth into farming is innovative and deserve commendation. He also urged the youth farmers to be serious and also respect the terms of repayment for the cost of the inputs in order to sustain the program.