The Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Abubakar, at the National Farmer’s Day Celebration held in Kpanji, a suburb of Yendi, Northern Region, paid his courtesy for the hardworking farmers and fishermen in the district, who are committed to providing food for the District communities and the region as a whole.
The government of Ghana established Farmers’ Day in 1985 to recognize the key role farmers and fishermen contribute to the economy, particularly the esteemed yield of agriculturalists and fishermen in 1984. It occurred following the disastrous agricultural years of 1982 and 1984.
The day came as a result of the 30 percent growth of the farming industry the year before. The country suffered from severe droughts in the early 1980s, which impacted crop yields. Ghana, which was largely dependent on the farmers to feed the nation, faced starvation and malnutrition. On the economic front, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was also suffering immensely.
He encourages traditional rulers in the district to enforce community members to handle the bushfire situation by stopping bush-burning in all communities this year.
The concept of value addition in agriculture, especially, in fisheries and aquaculture had become important as it presents the country with the opportunity for additional revenue generation, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.
Since then, the event has grown in stature with the Best National Farmer receiving a sponsorship package of GH¢600,000 from the headline sponsor, the Agriculture Development Bank.
However, the drought ended in 1984 and the country slowly recovered, recording an impressive 30 percent growth in the industry. The fisheries also flourished at the time. In order to recognize the plight and hard work of all Ghanaian farmers and fishermen, the politicians decided to hold a Ghana Farmers’ Day every first Friday of December.