Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Nana Otuo Siriboe II at the launch
Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siriboe II says the time has come for Ghanaians to appreciate that agriculture has moved from a purely subsistent activity to a more commercial enterprise, with greater returns awaiting those who are bold to venture into the sector with a business mindset.
“It is sad that most of our youth still have the mindset that employment is only worthy in government or private sector establishments – thus in an office environment. What we called white-collar jobs,” he stated.
Speaking at the launching of the 37th edition of National Farmers’ Day in Accra on Wednesday, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, who is also the Paramount Chief of Juaben Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region, indicated that “this fallacy has to be corrected based on current global trends and the reality confronting us.”
The Council of State Chairman said technology has become the driving force behind every business, including agriculture, and called for mainstreaming of modern technology to optimise the benefits derived from agriculture.
He said “that way, agriculture will become attractive to the youth and encourage entrepreneurship in the sector.”
He urged the government and the private sector to take advantage of the technology agenda to create opportunities and the necessary environment to get the youth into agribusiness, saying “there is no question that it is only through collaborative action between the government and the private sector that the goal of modernising and transforming agriculture can be realised.”
Nana Otuo Siriboe said the tripartite – government, private sector and farmers – must work together as main stakeholders to provide the needed opportunities and incentive for the teeming youth to expectedly respond to the government’s job creation agenda.
Food Boom
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, said the efforts being put in by farmers during his recent tour of Oti and Volta regions will put to shame those wishing that there will be shortage of food in the country.
The minister said there would be an abundance of food in the country next year as indications are pointing to bumper harvest.
“I just returned from the Volta and Oti regions late last night (Tuesday) on another leg of my annual full visit to observe and assess how farming activities have sharpened up in the food outlook of the country. Each time I undertake such a trip, my respect for farmers of this country deepens. I must say my observations in Oti and Volta in the past few days put to shame those who are peddling this adage that there is going to be a shortage. Rather, there is going to be an abundance of food in the coming year,” he said.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto said the government has been working hard to bring assurances to farmers and the National Farmers’ Day celebration should give certain guarantee to farmers that they will remain a priority in the nation’s quest towards the modernisation of agriculture to boost Ghana’s economic and social development.
“As agents of the government’s commitment to support farmers, particularly small-holder farmers, in 2020 this government of Akufo-Addo spent nearly a billion Ghana Cedis subsidising seeds and fertilisers,” he indicated.
According to him, the National Planning Committee has been charged to review the celebration of the National Farmers’ Day for the purpose of quality and efficient delivery with greater profitability.
The minister disclosed that the committee has been tasked to explore the use of digital technology in organising the celebration to ensure cost effectiveness and modernisation agenda for the agriculture sector.
By Ernest Kofi Adu