Galamsey Affecting Quality Of Farm Produce

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Abdul-Mumin Issah, has indicated the destruction of farmlands by illegal miners or lsquo;galamseyersrsquo; are impacting on the quality and yields of farmers.

He said another issue that is also negatively impacting on the production of farm produce is the excessive use of agrochemicals.

He noted that climate-smart agriculture has emerged as the surest way to promote food security adding that efforts have been made through the Planting for Food and Jobs l and ll, to ensure farmers had access to the requisite resources to help them prosper.

Abdul-Mumin Issah was speaking at the Metropolitan Farmers Day celebration at Kasaworodo ahead of the national event which will take place Friday in the Western Region.

A 34-year-old farmer at Ahanta Aboadze, Stephen Osagyefo Novel, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, was adjudged the overall best municipal farmer.

The MCE said the implementation of the governmentrsquo;s flagship programme has also provided job opportunities for the unemployed youth.

He continued that the second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs would focus on a shift from small-scale farming to relatively large-scale farming.

The MCE also said the Assembly, under the EU-funded Twin Cities in Sustainable Partnership Project (TCSPP), has set up an Urban Demonstration Farm, which has so far trained 350 women and youth in agricultural technologies.

He commended fisher folks in the metropolis for their compliance during the closed fishing season this year.

“We know this is for our own good but we will persist to appeal to the few who still steal their way through during the close season to comply with the directive,” he emphasized.

Stephen Osagyefo Novel, who received a tricycle and other farming inputs, was grateful to the government for its immense support to help increase farmersrsquo; yield.