The West Gonja Municipal Assembly celebrated the 41st edition of the Annual National Farmers Day on Friday, December 5, 2024, in Busunu.
The colorful event, held under the auspices of Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Yussif Yakubu Castro, brought together chiefs, farmers, and residents from across the municipality to honor hardworking farmers who ensure food security for Ghanaians.
This year’s celebration centered on the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” emphasizing the importance of local agricultural production and consumption.
Outstanding farmers received various awards, including tricycles, motorbikes, fertilizers, cutlasses, weedicide, refrigerators, roofing sheets, knapsack sprayers, Wellington boots, and other farming inputs.
Municipal Best Farmer: Mallam Adam Abutu from Busunu (awarded motorking, knapsack, Wellington boot, cutlasses, and NPK fertilizer), 1st Runner-up: Mr. Gaawe Prosper from Mognori (received motorbike, knapsack, Wellington boot, cutlass, and NPK fertilizer), 2nd Runner-up:** Mr. Mahama Suweidu from Damongo Atributo (awarded chest freezer, knapsack, cutlasses, cloth material, NPK fertilizer, Wellington boot, and sacks)
Busunu Wura Monasa Jono Kpawu I, the special guest of honor, welcomed attendees through bus rep Kpantriwura. The traditional leadership expressed gratitude to Hon. Castro for hosting the celebration in their area, noting its positive impact on promoting agricultural development in Busunu.
Hon. Yussif Yakubu Castro emphasized that approximately 80% of West Gonja Municipality’s land lies within the Busunu Traditional Area, making it the primary source of agricultural production for the municipality.
“Food security is national security,” Castro stated, calling for increased support and investment in local agricultural production. He highlighted the NDC government’s planned interventions, including the Feed Ghana program and Nkokonkitikiti project, aimed at addressing food challenges.
Municipal Agricultural Director Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim outlined significant achievements in the municipality:
Under the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small Scale Mining Project, 1,300 farmers (740 males and 560 females) from seven communities participated in activities promoting climate-smart agriculture. The Savannah Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (SADEP) distributed 5,000 guinea fowls to 500 farmers. Through Good Agronomic Practices training, 2,500 farmers received capacity-building support. Under the AAFORD initiative, 130 farmer groups benefited from loan support totaling GH¢2 million
The Agricultural Director highlighted ongoing challenges hampering production, including: High costs of farm inputs and machinery, Crop destruction by Fulani herdsmen, Lack of mechanization centers, Scarcity and high cost of farm inputs, Absence of subsidized fertilizers among others.
The event underscored the municipality’s commitment to recognizing farmers’ contributions to economic growth and food security while addressing challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Story by: Alhassan Z. Nicholas
