Development Action Association (DAA), an association for rural women in farming, food processing, post-harvest fish processing, and advocacy in the country, has expressed worry over the recent hike in premix fuel and agricultural inputs, indicating that the hike is affecting their business negatively.
Madam Emelia Larbi, a member of the Development Action Association (DAA), who spoke on behalf of a farmer-based organization, is of the view that if the situation is not addressed, it could kick a lot of the women farmers and fisher folks out of business.
“We are pleading with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture to come to our aid. Initially, fuel and agricultural input were not readily available and we thank the government for making them available. However, it has become expensive and costing us dearly.”
Madam Emelia Larbi
Madam Larbi averred that it is important for the government to urgently address the challenges affecting rural women farmers and fishers in the production value chain to help farmers have access to cheap inputs to undertake their farming activities.
“We are pleading that government subsidize these agricultural inputs and premix fuel so that we will not spend so much money on them and would be able to sustain our business.”
Madam Emelia Larbi
The rural women made this known during this year’s World Rural Women’s Day (WRWD) celebration organized by the Israel Embassy in collaboration with the GIZ Agribiz, Yara Fertilizer, Ministry of Fisheries, and Aquaculture.
The event which brought together women farmer groups and fish processors from the Greater Accra Region, Volta, Eastern, and other parts of the country, is celebrated annually to obtain recognition and support for the multiple roles that rural women played, including indigenous women who are mostly farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.
Held on the theme “Rural Women Using Technology to Provide Improved Food for All,” the occasion was used to highlight the important role rural women play in using technology to ensure the availability of hygienically processed food all year round.
The Significant Role Played By Rural Women
The Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Shlomit Sufa, congratulated the rural women for the significant role they play in enhancing agricultural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty in the country.
Mr. Seth Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister, on his part, called on the farmers to desist from giving their farms and arable lands to illegal miners in the quest of getting quick money. He noted that agriculture is the real gold and urged farmers and Ghanaians to focus their energies on it.
After the celebration, the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana inaugurated the Cassava Processing Pavilion with 3 locally produced cassava processors, a pressing machine, and a roasting area and store room.
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