Farmers day: Gov’t has failed us- Pig farmers cry out

A former Ashanti Regional Best pigs farmer and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Adankodeka farms at Adankwame in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti region Mr. Oti Manu has lambasted successive governments for their inability to make farming especially with livestock a lucrative for the youth to involve themselves.

According to him, support from the government to farmers in times of need have been very poor which a threat to the country’s Agricultural sector is.

Speaking in an interview with Captain Koda on OTEC FM’s morning show dubbed NYANSAPO, Adankodeka as affectionately called recalled how the Mahama led NDC government failed to support him and some other pig farmers in the Atwima Nwabiagya District who lost over 5000 pigs somewhere in June 2016 to swine flu virus.

He said after the 2016 general election when the NPP took over, it was their hope that some support could be extended to them as about GHc 100,000 was lost.

Government always says there is no money yet there are always funds for other projects and that means livestock farmers are being neglected” he stated.

Mr. Manu believes various Agric policies such as the planting for food and jobs and rearing for food and jobs would not see the light of the day if farmers are treated in such a manner with no support.

According to the farmer who produces over 2,400 pigs annually stated that celebration of farmers day to him makes no sense and the plight of farmers only holds during the awards day and after that no one cares about them again which to him is very sad.

Mr. Oti Manu however wants government to establish an insurance company which will be sorely be for the support of farmers in times of need and  their well-being.

I lost about 2,400 rabbits some years back and 1,300 pigs two years ago but there was so support for me so how do you expect my children or the youth who know my story to come into farming? He quizzed.

Meanwhile in response to this, press secretary of the minister of Agric, Ridwan Issah Alhassan says the current administration is working behind walls to address the issue and however arranged for a meeting between the ministry and the farmers to find solution to their concerns.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Evans Agyei Sikapa