FARMERS NETWORK CALLS FOR READY MARKET (PAGE 22)

A FOUR-Day annual general meeting of the Farmers Organisation Network in Ghana (FONG), a body comprising small-scale farmers in the country, ended at Koforidua with a call on the government and other bodies to assist farmers have ready market for their produce.
The meeting, which was funded by Agritera of Belgium, a body dedicated to the welfare of small-scale farmers in developing countries, was attended by 120 delegates mostly women from the region and other parts of the country.
Also present were representatives from other farmers’ organisations such as the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishers (GNAF), Association of Peasant Farmers of Ghana (APFOG) and Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG).
At the meeting, the organisation’s previous year’s activities were discussed with the view of addressing the numerous problems facing members.
In his address, the President of FONG, Dr King David Amoah, said although small- scale farmers produced the chunk of the country’s food requirement, numerous problems such as unfavourable land tenure system, lack of finance and subsidy on farming inputs especially fertiliser, made them unable to expand their farms.
He said what was most worrying was the lack of ready market for perishable farm produce, and called on all stakeholders for assistance.
A senior official of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Mr Osei Owusu, who represented the Chief Director, advised the farmers to form groups to be assisted with processing machines to add value to their produce.
The Eastern Regional Agricultural Extension Officer, Mr Sam Allotey, stressed the need for relevant bodies as well as non governmental organisations to assist FONG stand firm.
Alhaji Nasiru Adams, president of PFAG, appealed to the farmers to always pay back the loans given them to enable others also to benefit from the facility .
The Queen of Dawu, Nana Manko Asumadu Sakyi, who graced the occasion, called for more assistance for female farmers.
Earlier, in an address, the National Coordinator of FONG, Madam Lydia Sasu, had given the assurance that the organisation would continue to strengthen the capacity of its members to boost their activities and improve their lot.