Mohammed Mashud is 2021 National Best Farmer
The 2021 National Best Farmer will receive a two-bedroom apartment at a location within Ghana of his own preference
Mohammed Mashud has been declared the 2021 National Best Farmer at the 37th Farmers’ Day celebration, held in Cape Coast in the Central Region.
Mohammed is from Mion District in the Northern Region. He receives a two-bedroom apartment at a location of his choice in Ghana.
Speaking at the 37th Farmers’ Day celebration on Friday 3 December, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said his government will create an enabling environment and put in place the policies and programmes needed for rapid growth of the agricultural sector.
“This year’s event has taken on added significance, because of the efforts of our farmers and fisherfolk in ensuring that there were no shortages of food at the height of of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the president.
“Consolidating and strengthening our food security systems has become even more critical in the light of COVID-19, which continues to disrupt global supply chains and to expose the vulnerability of the food system worldwide.
“Thus, the need to build sustainable, resilient and equitable food systems that withstand shocks is of the greatest necessity,” Akufo-Addo said.
60% of Ghanaian workers
The climax of the 37th National Farmers’ Day celebration took place in the ancient city of Cape Coast, the Central Regional capital.
It was hosted jointly by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, and Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
The theme of this year’s celebration is Planting for Food and Jobs: Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana. The occasion was graced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as the guest of honour, and Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, as chairman.
About 165 farmers and fisherfolk were also honoured.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), officially opened the celebration with a colourful Agricultural Fair and Trade Exhibition at the Adisadel School Park in the historic city of Cape Coast on Monday.
The agricultural sector accounts for at least 20% of Ghana’s gross domestic product and employs about 60% of the Ghanaian population across the agricultural value chain.
Feeding the nation
The activities for National Farmers’ Day began on Sunday (28 November 2021) with a week-long agricultural exhibition and trade fair and the Farmer Market initiative, in which farmers presented their produce directly to consumers at the Adisadel College Park, the venue for the celebration.
All 16 regions showcased their culture, agricultural produce, agricultural products and machinery at the fair and exhibition.
The grand durbar was well attended, with farmers, fisherfolk, traditional rulers, policymakers, researchers, members of the diplomatic corps and the general public all present.
The first Ghana Farmers’ Day was instituted in 1985 by the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC). Hitherto, the Ministry of Agriculture had organised an annual “Agric Show”.
The country suffered severe drought in the early 1980s, which had a ruinous effect on crop yields.
Ghana, which was largely dependent on its farmers to feed the nation, faced starvation and malnutrition. Gross domestic product also suffered immensely.
The country recovered slowly after the drought ended in 1984, but since then, overall, agriculture has recorded an impressive 30% growth.
Fisheries also flourished. To recognise the burden on all Ghanaian farmers and fishermen and acknowledge their hard work, the then government decided to hold an annual Ghana Farmers’ Day.
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