On Wednesday 15th May, 2024, a stakeholder’s engagement meeting with farmers was held at Trassaco Kings Cottage Estates. The meeting organized by the Agriculture Department of the Adentan Municipal Assembly in collaboration with Women in Agricultural Development and Farmer Groups within the Municipality.
Present at the meeting was the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Ebenezer Doku, the Municipal Director of Agriculture; Madam Rosemond Adjeoda, the Municipal Planning Officer Mrs. Ivy Oduro Kwarteng, the Farmers Groups, Food Processors and the Women in Agric Developments.
The Municipal Chief Executive, warmly welcomed everyone and expressed his gratitude for their attendance. He explained the purpose of the meeting is: to enlighten farmers and processors about the Agric value chain and the support available from the Adentan Municipal Assembly.
The MCE acknowledged the work of Farmer’ Groups and their concerns, and promised to work with the Municipal Department of Agriculture to find lasting solutions. He encouraged Farmer Groups to share information about the Assembly’s interventions.
Madam Rosemond Adjeoda, the Agriculture Director, emphasized the benefits of collaboration among farmers. She outlined various initiatives and support provided by the Agriculture Department and the Municipal Assembly, including training, resources and giving access to market their produce. She also highlighted the department’s goal of enhancing the farming community’s productivity and well-being through a collaborative approach.
Madam Humu Kulsum Ibrahim the representative of the Municipal National Youth Authority, announced that there was an initiative for women in agriculture, offering a grant from Mastercard Foundation for Business Start-ups. She added that the Foundation is targeting about one thousand (1000) beneficiaries between the ages of 18-35 years.
According to her, the first stage is for interested applicant to get registered and a day’s training in Financial and Literacy Education given. After which candidates Pitch their ideas to qualify for the Grant.
During the open forum session, some crop farmers shared their concern, on land scarcity, inadequate access to tractor services and the problem of limited market access,
Another farmer complained about high cost of input whiles a maize farmer also expressed frustration with army worms, which affected his yields despite heavy investments.
Alhaji Seidu Malik talked about land guards taking their lands for building houses’’ I was chased from my farm with cutlass by land guards, I had to run for my life’’.
The Municipal Director of Agriculture, assured him that the Assembly was working to supply necessary fertilizers to combat the disease. A representative from Women in Agriculture Development emphasized the need for government subsidies for seeds, feed, and Day-old chicks, as well as tractor provision for weed control.
The MCE in his closing remarks advised the farmers to be innovative in their farming methods to help address the issue of land scarcity within the Adentan Municipality, ‘’It’s about time you try the container farming if you have problem acquiring lands for farming activities ‘’ he added.
The farmers left with renewed hope and a sense of support from the Assembly and its partners. They look forward to seeing the positive impact and initiatives and collaborations discussed during the meeting.
