The Regional Farmers Day Planning Committee for the 28th edition of the National Farmers Day celebrations slated for November 2, in the Greater Accra Region was on Tuesday inaugurated in Accra.

The 10 member committee is to identify a suitable venue, prepare the ground, arrange for security, identify guests to grace the occasion, form sub-committees and prepare a budget and any other proposals from the national Planning Committee.

Inaugurating the committee, Nii laryea Afotey Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, said the committee was not going to work in isolation but collaborate with the National Planning Committee to collectively put energies and ideas together for a successful celebration.

He said the farmer’s day celebration instituted in 1985 was to honor and award hardworking and illustrious farmers and fishermen for their immense contribution which accounts for 35 percent of the GDP to the development of the country.

Nii Afotey Agbo said this year’s event has been scheduled for November due to the upcoming elections on December 7, to enable all award winners and organizers of the event to return to their respective destinations on time and take part in the voting exercise.

He expressed confidence in the committee and urged them to start planning with immediate effect as they did not have much time.

He said, “in order to achieve the desired results and for us to be abreast with the planning arrangement, I would demand periodic reports and briefing from the committee”.

Mrs Margaret Manu, Greater Accra Regional Director of Agriculture, said the celebration was at three levels, the national, regional and district levels, and nominations were done on nine point criteria, which include farmers knowledge of husbandry practices, environmental awareness and relevant practices, record keeping, and farmer’s role in the community.

She said since its inception, the celebration has since been hosted by all ten regions till date, and the greater Accra Region would be hosting it for the fourth time, adding that the overall winner would receive a fully furnished three bedroom house at an area of his or her choice.

Mrs Manu expressed gratitude to the Regional Coordinating Council, corporate bodies and government for their immense cooperation and coordination and making all prizes available for farmers over the years.**