Five companies last Wednesday presented items and cash totalling about GH¢316,450 to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture towards this year’s National Farmer’s Day celebration.
ew Okaff provided products valued at GH¢90,000 and a cash contribution of GH¢10,000; Wynca Sunshine donated products worth GH¢115,450; Rainbow Agro contributed products valued at GH¢28,000, while Crocodile Matchets presented products worth GH¢48,000. YARA Ghana also made a cash donation of GHS 25,000.
Receiving the items, the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Crops, Yaw Frimpong Addo, thanked the companies for their consistency in supporting the celebration over the years.
He appealed to other institutions and the corporate community to support the ministry to enable it to organise the day which sought to honour the country’s hard-working farmers.
This year’s celebration, which is the 40th edition, will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, in Accra in the Greater Accra Region, on the theme: "Building climate-resilient agriculture for sustainable food security."
It emphasises the nation's commitment to adapting agricultural practices in response to climate change challenges.
The celebration will begin with a five-day National Agricultural Fair, Agrifest Ghana 2024, from November 4 to November 8, 2024. The initiative aims to showcase the diverse agricultural heritage of Ghana while providing a platform for knowledge sharing and innovation among farmers and stakeholders.
The programme of activities begins on Sunday, November 3, with the arrival of national award winners in Accra, then on November 4, the fair will officially open with a colourful float procession starting from Kwame Nkrumah Circle to the exhibition grounds at the ministries, Accra.
The day will culminate in an ADB welcome cocktail for national award winners in the evening.
Throughout the fair which spans five days, attendees will witness various activities, including farmers' forums, exhibitions from the 16 regions, and tours led by national award winners. On November 7, a rehearsal for the prestigious National Awards Night Ceremony will take place.
Honouring excellence
A highlight of National Farmers' Day is the National Awards Night ceremony on November 8, where President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will present honours to the best-performing farmers across 15 award categories.
The categories include Overall National Best Farmer, National Best Livestock Farmer and National Best Female Farmer, reflecting the diverse contributions of individuals in the agricultural sector.
Regional Coordinating Councils will also hold ceremonies in all 16 regions, where regional ministers will confer awards on local farmers, ensuring that excellence is recognised at every level of the agricultural community.