The Zongo community led by the Head, Nana Gyesire II (under umbrela)
Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong, Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area, heading the Agogo Traditional Council, last Saturday celebrated the role of hard working farmers in providing food security, when the chiefs and people observed the maiden Golden Plantain Festival.
A section of chiefs who graced the occasion
The chief said the festival comes at the heels of the conviction that plantain is perceived to be gold and precious and, therefore, the source of livelihood for the farming communities in the area.
He said farmers in the area would be supported to maintain their lead in the production of plantain which is currently being exported to Burkina Faso, Benin, La Cote d’ivoire, Togo and Mali.
Addressing the historic occasion, Nana Akuoko Sarpong encouraged the youth to venture into agriculture because it is lucrative.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong announced the establishment of a GHC200,000 Fund to support farmers in Agogo Traditional Area and the growth of agriculture and plantain farming industry in general.
Mr. Andy Appiah Kubi, Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North and Deputy Minister of Railway Development promised that, in collaboration with the District Assembly, a total of GHC40,000 at GHC10,000 per quarter would be committed into the Fund.
He commended the Burkinabe Ambassador in Ghana for facilitating the export of plantain from Agogo to Burkina Faso.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr. George Oduro, assured that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) would support the sustenance of the Plantain Festival of the people of Agogo to encourage the over 21,900 plantain farmers in the area, made up of 17,154 small holder plantain farmers and 4, 476 commercial farmers.
The Minister said export revenue from plantain had increased from 2015 over the years, benefitting farmers income wise.
According to him, Agogo farmers earned GHC24 million from export of plantain to Togo in 2015, which increased to GHC28 million in 2016.
He said export to Togo, Burkina Faso and Benin generated GHC61 million in 2017 and further increased to GHC67 million in 2018.
He commended the vision of the Omanhene of Agogo and the Traditional Council for the release of 121883 acres of land to farmers for the cultivation of plantain farms to promote the industry.
The District Chief Executive, Mr. Francis Oti Boateng, announced that two factories were being constructed at Agogo to process plantain into finished products under the 1D1F programme to process about 600,000 tons of plantain per year.
The factory, he said would serve as a source of income to 500 farmers and direct and indirect jobs for about 18,321 in a complete value chain under the 1D1F.
A Member of the Council of State for Ashanti region, Nana Owusu Achaw Brempong, who is chief of Akrofonso and the 2018 Ashanti Regional Best farmer, presided over the Festival. He recommended farming to the youth.
The post Agogo State observes maiden golden plantain festival…Amid pomp and pageantry appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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