Two tractors were donated by Exim Bank to two farmers in this year’s Farmers Day celebration.
The event, which was held at Kitampo in the Brong Ahafo Region saw 39-year-old Ariku Martin Akudugu from the upper east region who was the first runner-up for this year’s best Farmer pick up a brand new tractor.
Mr. Samuel Abiyaga from Bulsa North who won National Lives Stock Farmer of the year also got a new tractor donated by Exim Bank Ghana.
Exim Bank has been a key stake donor in supporting farmers and the celebration of farmer’s day over the years.
In an interview, Acting CEO of Exim bank, DR Osei Baffour, said Exim Bank, formerly EDAIF, his its focus on agriculture and agro-processing hence the need to reward farmers during the annual celebration.
Dr. Baffour also noted that Exim Gank Ghana will remain committed to its usual support to farmers.
He said the theme for this year’s Farmers’ Day celebration, “Agriculture; A Business Response to Economic Growth” is in line with the promise of a mandate of Exim Bank.
This according to the Chief executive means an even better and wider scope of support for farmers and other areas of their mandate on entrepreneurial initiatives, technical as well as advisory services for farmers aimed at changing perceptions on farming.
In a related development, Dr. Baffour noted the Exim Bank is not coming to compete with commercial banks but to fill those gaps that are left by commercial banks, hence will not be taking deposits from customers.
This means Exim Bank can borrow from donors and other agencies that have an interest in the businesses that they do.
Dr. Barfour thanked organizers of this year’s program.
This year’s farmer’s day marks the 32nd celebrations of Farmer’s Day in the history of Ghana.
In an address, President John Dramani Mahama emphasized and encouraged all farmers to practice farming as a business, saying that ’farming is a business and must be approached in a business manner’’
The president also announced that cabinet had approved the establishments of Farmer’s Service Centres. This he said will be done in all districts across Ghana beginning with fifty to provide services including ploughing, hallowing and harvesting among others to farmers who need supports.
He encouraged supporting agencies in agriculture to continue their support in collaboration with governments to help improve the country’s agricultural challenges and also make Ghana an agriculture export country in the sub-region.
According to the president, supporting agencies and programs like EDAIF, now Exim has Sponsored Rice Project and the Rice sector Support program (RSSP) has helped increase Rice production to over sixty percent 60%.
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