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2009 National Best Farmer receives award
Mar 28 2011
Accra, March 28 - Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), on Monday reiterated government's commitment to create enabling environment, by providing the necessary support to facilitate the modernisation and commercialisation of agriculture.
He said to achieve this objective, the Ministry was encouraging all and sundry to approach farming as a business venture.
Mr Ahwoi made the call when handing over the keys of a GH¢ 110,000 three-bedroom Estate House to Mr Davies Narh Korboe, 2009 National Best Farmer, in Accra.
The fully furnished house provided by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) was the bank's sponsorship package for the National Best Farmer award annually.
The Minister said MOFA had been pursuing interventions and projects notably among them was the setting up of the National Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to hold strategic food stock for the country to ensure food security, provide ready and assured market for farmers, and also serve as a channel for promoting the consumption of local farm produce through State institutions.
Mr Ahwoi said: "It is on record that in 2010 NAFCO contributed to the 10,000 metric tonnes of maize bought by the World Food Programme to export to the Sahel Region".
He said establishment of the Agricultural Mechanisation Centres were to provide a one stop centre that provided tractor services to farmers at relatively cheap cost.
"So far there are 85 of these centres throughout the country. The plan is to have at least a service centre in each district to minimise if not eliminate the drudgery of the hoe and cutlass, slush and burn, peasant farming practices which affects productivity and discourages the youth," the Minister said.
Mr Ahwoi commended the ADB for playing a pivotal role in making the presentation a reality.
He said the level of generosity and national commitment of the ADB could not go without appreciation and expressed profound gratitude to the board, management and staff of the bank for their support to farmers.
Mr Ahwoi thanked all other companies and individuals for their support to the National Farmers' Day initiative which started from a very humble beginning 26 years ago.
"Government is indeed honoured to have you all as partners in the quest to pursue the better Ghana Agenda on the wings of a robust and vibrant agricultural sector," he said.
Mr Stephen Kpordzih, Managing Director of ADB, said the bank had been the biggest sponsor of the National Farmers' Day Celebration and Awards Scheme since its inception and had delivered nine houses so far to the scheme, since 2001.
He said the bank's continued support to the celebration and award scheme was motivated by the fact that ADB shared the vision of Government in using the celebration to promote the welfare of hardworking farmers and fishermen and thereby boost agricultural production and productivity.
Mr Kpordzih announced that the past year had been used to reposition ADB as an efficient and effective policy-led agricultural financing institution and thereby re-discover its founding mission.
He said lending to the agricultural sector went up dramatically to GH¢174.2 million, representing an increase of 64.5 per cent over the previous year's performance, which in effect jumped the share of agriculture in the total credit portfolio of the bank from 24.1 per cent in 2009 to 28.9 per cent in 2010.
"A number of measures were also implemented to improve the quality of our agricultural credit portfolio and sustain the financing of agricultural projects… it is our wish that the operators in the agricultural sector will work closely and honestly with the bank to achieve the objectives we have outlined for the sector," Mr Kpordzih said.
Mr Korboe, the award recipient, said he was humbled by the award and commended the Ministry for encouraging him with the direction and support.
He said the presentation showed the importance government attached to the agricultural sector in the country and pledged his commitment to continue to count on the Ministry for support and direction.
Mr Korboe urged the youth to venture into farming as their contribution towards national development.
Click here to view presentation pictures.
WELCOME SPEECH BY MR. STEPHEN KPORDZIH,
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK, AT THE CEREMONY TO PRESENT THREE-BEDROOM HOUSE
TO THE 2009 NATIONAL BEST FARMER, ON 28TH MARCH 2011
On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the Agricultural Development Bank, I wish to welcome you to this morning’s ceremony to witness the handing over of this beautiful edifice to the 2009 National Best Farmer. This is in fulfillment of the pledge the Bank made to the Government and people of Ghana.
Mr. Chairman, ADB has been the biggest sponsor of the National Farmers’ Day Celebration and Awards Scheme since its inception. Especially from the year 2001, ADB has delivered nine houses in all to the National Best Farmers. Our continued support to the National Farmers’ Day Celebration and Award Scheme in such a big way is motivated by the fact that ADB shares the vision of Government in using the celebration to promote the welfare of our hardworking farmers and fishermen and thereby boost agricultural production and productivity. For the 2009 National Best Farmer, this building and facilities cost a total of GH¢110,000.00 to construct and furnish. We believe this will go a long way to boost the objectives of the Award Scheme.
Mr. Chairman, ADB was established to contribute in making agriculture a successful economic activity. We believe that, over the years, we have been able to produce many successful farmers and fishermen and are proud of that. We take this opportunity to salute our core customers who are mainly in the business of farming and fishing and wish to assure them that ADB will continue to remain strong in agricultural financing.
Indeed, the past one year has been used to reposition ADB as an efficient and effective policy-led agricultural financing institution and thereby re-discover its founding mission. Lending to the agricultural sector went up dramatically to GH¢174.2 million, representing an increase of 64.5% over the previous year’s performance. In effect, the share of agriculture in the total credit portfolio of the Bank climbed from 24.1% in 2009 to 28.9% in 2010.
A number of measures were also implemented to improve the quality of our agricultural credit portfolio and sustain the financing of agricultural projects. In addition, ADB strengthened its branch network in especially areas with great agricultural potentials where, previously, the bank’s presence was weak. It is our wish that the operators in the agricultural sector will work closely and honestly with the bank to achieve the objectives we have outlined for the sector.
At this juncture, let me congratulate Mr. Davies Narh Korboe, the 2009 National Best Farmer, for his achievement and wish he chalks more laurels in his agricultural business.
Thank you all for your presence here.
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