The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) has presented a sponsorship cheque for GH¢536,000.00 in support of the National Farmers Day Celebration.
The cheque was presented to the Minister of State at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture & Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hon. Dr. Gyiele Nurah as the prize for the 2019 National Best farmer.
The presentation reaffirms the bank’s commitment towards the 35th edition of the Farmers’ Day, which comes off on Friday, December 6, 2019, at Ho in the Volta Region.
Deputy Managing Director of the ADB, Mr. Alhassan Yakubu-Tali, who made the donation, said the bank’s association and continuous sponsorship of the Farmers’ Day were all targeted at attracting more people into agriculture.
He said, “The sponsorship package by ADB for the past 35 editions remains the topmost award for our farmers and as an incentive for our gallant farmers and fishermen to aim at the ultimate prize.”
“The sponsorship is a further indication of the bank’s desire to remain focused on its founding mandate to provide financial intermediation to players within the agricultural sector.”
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“On behalf of the Board and Management of ADB, I wish to inform the general public that since 2018, the bank has refocused and highlighted our agricultural financing strategy to encompass the complete Agricultural Value Chain,” he added.
The bank, he said, has hitherto provided past national best farmers with a fully furnished three-bedroom house at places of their choice.
According to him, following strong advocacy and presentations by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and past National Best Farmers in 2017, a decision has been taken to change the ultimate prize from a three-bedroom house into a cash prize.
“The cash prize is to enable the award winner to expand their businesses and provide additional employment.”
“So far the 2017 and 2018 best farmers have prudently utilized their prize monies in that direction.”
He stated that the new initiative has yielded good results and expressed hope it will continue since both the 2017 and 2018 winners have all employed more people and expanded their agribusinesses.
Dr. Gyiele Nurah, who received the sponsorship on behalf of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, commended the bank for its commitment to the National Farmers Day Celebration.
The ADB’s commitment towards all 35 editions of the National Farmers’ Day celebration by being the lead sponsor of the ultimate prize, he noted, is a clear indication it has the welfare of Ghanaian farmers at heart.
