Let’s Rethink Agric – National Best Farmer
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah
The national best farmer for 2022, Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe I, has charged stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to rethink and revitalise the agricultural sector as an avenue which offers boundless business opportunities that is economically fulfilling and rewarding.
The national best farmer made the call at the launch of an agricultural programme in Accra dubbed “Rethink Agriculture”, an initiative by his office aimed at reshaping the perception of agriculture among the youth.
According to him, the initiative also seeks to inspire the youth to view agriculture as a dynamic business beaming with potentials.
“The rethink programme is a clarion call urging our youth to perceive agriculture and the opportunities along its value chain as more than a traditional vocation but an avenue of boundless opportunities,” he stated.
He said the “Rethink Agriculture” programme is also expected to equip the youth with the tools, knowledge, information, education and skills that will not only help sustain agricultural legacy but transform it into a force that drives innovation and economic growth.
He further said that though he was a trained engineer by profession, it was imperative for him to encourage the youth to lead the transformative shift in the agricultural sector as a profession that does not only improve the well-being of the individual but also plays a pivotal role in socio-economic development of the country.
“Through ‘rethink’ we aim to instill these values in our youth, encouraging them to harness their creativity, embrace technology and transform their passion into profitable agri-business enterprises through our road show campaigns, as well as building the capacity of new and existing farmers for sustainable yield and reducing waste,” he added.
The national best farmer, who is also the Akyempimhene of Juaben Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region, added that the programme would also equip the youth with the tools that would provide them an opportunity to nurture the soil, conserve water, protect biodiversity and significantly reduce post-harvest waste while embracing precision and smart agriculture innovative techniques to increase productivity.
Director in charge of Agric Extension Services at the Ministry of Food and Agricuture, Paul Siame, for his part said, “We are happy that the initiative is coming from a young energetic youth, chief and entrepreneur who has seen the benefits and huge potential in farming and want others to benefit from agriculture.”
He described the initiative as a timely call for actors and facilitators in the various agricultural commodity chains to quickly “pause, think, rethink, and fashion out new approaches and strategies in the light of changing prints in agriculture and food production.”
Deputy Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Eno Ofori-Atta, who also commended the national best farmer for a laudable initiative, however, appealed to him to partner other stakeholders to help secure lands for youth interested in agriculture.
This, she said, would help reduce land acquisition challenges by the youth after they have received orientation on agricultural practices.
The programme, launched on the theme, “Opportunities along the Agricultural value chain,” also brought together representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Afrieximbank, past national best farmers, and traditional leaders and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.