The farmers of Amezdofe have called on the government through the ministry of Agriculture for help but to no avail. Amezdofe is a popular farming community in the Ho West district at the Volta Region. The land is very fertile and supports the cultivation of many crops including rice, tea, grapes. However, the story of this community is one of rejection and lack of support from the government. This was revealed by the community folks when a team of Agric today reporters visited the area.
The food and farming industry wants assurances from the government that it will still be able to recruit enough staff from the EU after Brexit.
The demand came as part of a manifesto drawn up by more than 100 organisations across the industry and sent to the PM.
It urges the government to publish a white paper setting out its immigration plans “as a matter of priority”.
A government spokesperson said those in the sector would be able to recruit EU citizens until December 2020.
Those in the farming industry have previously raised concerns about the impact of leaving the European Union on agricultural labour, which is often short-term, flexible and seasonal.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said earlier this year that the case for a seasonal agricultural workers scheme after the UK leaves the EU in 2019 was “compelling.”
The Food Supply Chain manifesto was sent to Prime Minister Theresa May by the National Farmers’ Union president Minette Batters.
It said the “significant number” of EU nationals the sector employed meant it was vital the government “ensures a continuing, adequate supply of permanent and seasonal labour” before and after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019.
The document said that recruitment difficulties from within the UK meant the government needed to guarantee that “in the short- to medium-term, the industry has access to the overseas labour market to help meet its recruitment needs”.
The other main issues raised in the manifesto, drawn up by organisations representing farmers and their suppliers as well as manufacturers and retailers, were:
• Maintaining “frictionless” trade with the EU
• Developing an agriculture policy which promotes food production while maintaining existing high standards
Ensuring an “efficient and proportionate” regulatory system
NFU president Ms Batters said a Brexit that failed to champion UK food producers “will be bad for the country’s landscape, the economy and, critically, our society”.
She added: “The signatories to this manifesto will be looking to government to ensure its objectives are aligned with ours, to ensure British food production – something of which every person in this country enjoys the benefits – gets the best possible deal post-Brexit.”
In response to the manifesto, a government spokesperson said: “We have been clear that up until December 2020, employers in the agricultural and food processing sectors will be free to recruit EU citizens to fill vacancies and those arriving to work will be able to stay in the UK afterwards.
“We are determined to get the best deal for the UK in our EU negotiations, not least for our world-leading food and farming industry which is a key part of our economic success.”
The Elders of Amezdofe have called on the government to introduce its policy of Planting for Food and Jobs to the youth in the community to help reduce youth unemployment in the community. The Elders cried out when a team of Agric today reporters visited the community.
The Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Hon George Oduro has Called the former Nadmo Coordinator, Mr. Joseph Yamin a liar on a claim by Mr Yamin that there is a shortage of maize across the country to feed their livestock. According to Mr Yamin while being interviewed by OK fm on Wednesday 16th of May 2018, he emphatically said that the poultry farmers have to order and even that will take some time before they are able get some of the maize for their poultry.
JAKARTA (Reuters) – The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), a palm oil board led by Indonesia and Malaysia, said British supermarket chain Iceland’s decision to remove palm oil from its own-brand food products misleads consumers.
The Fisheries Commission has organised a training programme for fish processors and traders on the use of the “Ahotor Oven” to ensure hygienic handling of fish till it gets to the final consumer.
A section of the training demonstrating proper way of handling fish.
The USAID Ghana Agriculture Sector Team Lead, Ms Jenna Tajchman, advised that for Ghana to ensure food security there is the need to restore the fertility of our soil. She said this when she was addressing stakeholders in Agriculture when discussing on ways to improve farmers’ access to important agriculture inputs, including fertilizer.
An example of soil rich in nutrients for production.
The youth of the Agogo traditional area have commended the current government for its immense contribution to evacuating the Fulani herdsmen from Agogo. They have however called on the government to do more to totally drive out the remaining hidden herdsmen from the hinterlands of Agogo state to enable them move freely particularly to their farms without fear.
The Kontihene of Asante Akyem Agogo traditional area, Nana Kwame Nti Asante has refuted claims on some media platforms that the farmers at Agogo have converted from plantain farming to cashew farming. He said this when Agric Today paid a visit to him at his palace. According to him, Asante Akyem Agogo is well noted for plantain farming since the 1980s and it has contributed immensely in the development of the community and the nation by extension.
Example of plantain cultivated at Asante Akyem Agogo.
