Ghana’s 40th National Farmers’ Day honors farmers’ contributions under the theme “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture.” Celebrations, awards, and an agricultural fair spotlight sustainable practices, while GAWU critiques the Planting for Food and Jobs program’s limited impact and calls for better policies
Today, November 8, 2024, marks Ghana’s 40th National Farmers’ Day, a celebration honoring farmers for their vital contributions to food security and the national economy. The event was rescheduled from its traditional December 6th date to ensure full participation ahead of the upcoming elections.
This year’s theme, “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security,” emphasizes the importance of adopting agricultural practices that mitigate the effects of climate change. The celebration includes a five-day agricultural fair showcasing innovations, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and promoting sustainable practices.
At the heart of the festivities is the awards ceremony, led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, recognizing farmers in 16 categories, including Best National Farmer and Best Female Farmer. This initiative underscores the dedication of farmers in sustaining Ghana’s food supply.
However, the decision not to observe November 8 as a public holiday, clarified by the Ministry of Interior, has drawn mixed reactions, with some farmers feeling the day’s significance is diminished.
Farmers’ Day, instituted in 1985, has grown in scale and recognition. It began as a response to the resilience of Ghana’s agricultural sector during the drought of the early 1980s. The first celebration, held in Osino, Eastern Region, saw modest awards such as machetes and boots.
Over time, awards have evolved to include tractors and other high-value farming equipment, with categories expanding to recognize diverse contributions, including those of female and physically challenged farmers.
Despite the celebratory tone, the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), in a press release, highlighted critical concerns about the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program. Launched in 2017 to modernize agriculture and boost food security, PFJ has faced criticism for its limited impact.
The press release acknowledged that while the program increased the distribution of subsidized inputs like fertilizers and seeds, production volumes did not improve proportionally.
For instance, maize and rice production reportedly rose over 40% compared to what would have been achieved without the program. However, GAWU argued that the benefits barely matched the combined public and private costs, raising questions about the program’s efficiency and effectiveness.
GAWU also called out the lack of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the program. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture relies heavily on simulations with assumptions about input use and efficiency, creating gaps in understanding its actual farm-level impact.
Furthermore, GAWU raised concerns over unregulated maize imports under PFJ and advocated for prioritizing resilient local seed varieties developed by institutions like WACCI.
Another pressing issue highlighted by GAWU is the destruction of 2.5 million hectares of forest reserves due to illegal mining activities. This devastation threatens biodiversity and agricultural land, prompting calls for stricter measures to protect farmlands and livelihoods.
Adding to these challenges, food inflation remains a persistent driver of Ghana’s overall inflation, which rose to 22.1% in October 2024. Despite government interventions, food prices have consistently outpaced other sectors, raising questions about the effectiveness of policies like PFJ in addressing structural issues within the agricultural sector.
The Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) has also linked Ghana’s high inflation to monetary policy failures, particularly in managing supply-side constraints.
National Farmers’ Day serves as a vital platform to reflect on these challenges, celebrate the resilience of farmers, and advocate for sustainable solutions.
