Mr Alidu Laa-Baadow, Zabzugu District Chief Executive in the Northern Region, has noted that farmers in the country are operating in very difficult circumstances despite their contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.

“Most of our farmers still use technologically backward methods of farming, cultivate in small land holdings, and live in communities without good road network and social amenities,” he stressed.

He said despite these challenges they produce the food and cash crops needed for socio-economic development of the country.

Mr Laa-Baadow made the observation during the district’s observation of the 30th anniversary of National Farmers Day.

“Many a time, our farmers are unable to have direct access to the market and are therefore cheated by middle men or market queens who deprive them of the right income for their sweat.

“A good amount of farm produce still gets rotten in many of our farming communities due to lack of adequate technology about food storage and preservation,” he said.

The DCE said these challenges are aggravated by the high taste Ghanaians have for foreign imported foods instead of locally produced foods, which have been proved to be more wholesome and nutritionally healthy to eat.

He said the phenomenon has negatively affected food production in the country with more and more people losing interest in agriculture.

Mr Laa-Baadow said: “Today, we honour and celebrate our hardworking farmers for their contribution in the achievement of another successful farming year and to recognise their role in National development,” he said.

He said the block farming programme is part of efforts by Government to ensure increased food production in the country.

Under the programme, farm inputs such as seed maize, fertilizer, weedicides and others are supplied to farmers especially the youth who are engaged in farming.

He said beneficiaries of the programme in the past have attested to the fact that their yields increased as a result of the use of the synthetic or chemical fertilizer and the extension services received through the programme.

He said plans are advanced for a rice project to be established along the river Oti beginning next year.

Interested farmers would be supported by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture with inputs and extension services.

“I want to encourage all of us to take advantage of the project when it commences next year,” he said.

Mr Sulemana Yahaya was the overall district best farmer.

He received a corn sheller as his prize 26 other farmers were awarded.