On the occasion of the 29th National Farmers Day Celebrations, the New Patriotic Party will like to congratulate our farmers and fishermen on this important day.
The NPP wishes to express its sincerest gratitude for the critical role being played by our hard working farmers and fishermen to ensure food security in our country.
The NPP is particularly appreciative to our farmers and fishermen during this era where the fortunes of our Agricultural sector under the ruling National Democratic Congress government are dwindling.
It is sad that all the promises the National Democratic Congress made in its manifesto, in the run up to the 2012 elections, including the modernisation of agriculture, as well as ensuring that living standards of farmers are improved have ended up being just mere rhetoric. Policies that would spur on agricultural growth have not been implemented.
Growth in the agricultural sector, under this government, dropped from 7.2% in 2009 to 5.3% in 2010. In 2011 agricultural growth hit an all-time low of 0.8%, and could only increase by a meager percentage to 1.3% in 2012.
The imposition of taxes on agricultural implements, unreliable supply of inputs to farmers, the politicization of the mass cocoa spraying exercise, and insufficient budgetary allocation have all contributed to the dwindling fortunes of Ghana�s agricultural sector
The over concentration on the oil sector to the detriment of Agriculture is also worrying.
Indeed, our cocoa farmers are still waiting for government to pay bonuses for the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 crop seasons. The delay in paying cocoa farmers their due is unjust and an act of misplaced priority on the part of this administration. It also portrays the government as one that spends resources on unprofitable ventures to the detriment to the very crop that has brought fortunes to the country.
The NPP believes that if the government can spend half of the allocated GH�32.58 million earmarked for capacity building (Workshops and seminars) on our farmers, the benefits will be enormous for the growth of the economy.
We urge the NDC administration to take major measures to turn around our poor agricultural performance in recent years, if the country is to avoid social and economic disaster. We also urge the government to commit itself to modernizing agriculture to enhance food security and reduce income variability for farmers and fishermen in the country.
The transformation and modernization of our agriculture to enhance productivity and guarantee food security and self-sufficiency are the vital issues of our time. With the necessary support and incentives, the NPP is confident that the Ghanaian farmer will be up to the task.
The only way we can guarantee that the majority of Ghanaians have improved living standards, is to ensure that there is significant productivity improvement in agriculture, food security, and economic prosperity for farmers.
Ghanaian Farmers deserve a special a place in our hearts, they deserve better.
Congratulations to all Farmers...Ayekooo!!!!!
��signed��
Perry Okudzeto
Ag Director of Communications
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