The East Upper Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Francis Ennor, has revealed that about thirty percent of the Agric Departments budget at the district level is devoted to activities of women in the sector.
He said that although the Departments does not have enough female field workers, male officers are encouraged to share their knowledge and findings in the sector with the women amongst them.
This, he said, is crucial because women farmers in the country continue to play very vital roles in the agricultural sector, even though many of them are yet to be highly appreciated and recognized like their male counterparts.
He therefore extended gratitude to Agrihouse and sponsors for specially recognizing women in agriculture through WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards.
“May you continue to live long to support such initiatives in the future,” he stressed.
Mr. Ennor made these comments at the 3rd Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in the Soil Award, recently organized by Agrihouse Foundation in Bolgatana , in the Upper East Region.
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He said that recognizing women in Agriculture and seeking to empower, strengthen and projecting them is a commended initiative, and noted that, the region will never relent to give priority and support to its women farmers.
He urged the women to also make the most of the opportunity to learn, network and scale-up on their agricultural efforts.
“I will urge you to be very observant, active participants and take the training you will undergo very serious in these 2 days. Agriculture is a noble profession. There is gold in the soil and indeed precious minerals as well. Agriculture promotes good health, wealth and long life. Life starts from the soil and if we properly interact with the soil, being conscious to maintain its form and structure on sustainable basis, mother earth/nature will reward us with all that our hearts desire,” he encouraged the women.
Expressing his joy about the Upper East Region, the Director said, the Upper East Region is full of highly energetic and industrious women actively engaged in the production, processing, storage and marketing of agricultural products such as rice, maize, sorghum, millet, groundnut, cowpea, sesame and shea.
“They also feature prominently in non-agricultural activities such as weaving, basketry, pottery, soap making and tire and dye.” He said.
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In light of this, he used the opportunity to urge the men and women of the Upper East Region who were present to continue working hard to make their region productive and prosperous, especially for the youth and their children.
About 3rd WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards
This year Madam Portia Asumda, from Zangeyire in the Upper East Region took home the ultimate Gold in the Soil Award. She has been farming five years and is into the cultivation of rice, and maize, and rears cow, small ruminant and guinea fowls.
She has been working for the past 10 years and has helped train about 200 women in agri-processing capacities. She mentors women and employs a number of them who depend on the income they make to support their families. In view of her hard work, NBSSI collaborates with her as a service provider, ensuring that her products meet international standards, that enables her to export her products.
The rest of the award winners in their various categories are as follows:
Passion for Farm— Portia Gban
She innovates— Gafaratu Fuseini
Climate Smart Women Project— Memuna Abdul Rahaman
Outstanding woman in extension services— Leuzumah Rashida
The super Woman Farmer— Alima Wahabu
Royal Agro— Ayiesheitu Mahamadu Asaki
Diamond in the rough— Saantuma Sala
Feed to Foods— Genevive Akugu
Change Champion Award— Asieme Elsie Azelikumah
Development Partner— Canada
Lady of the Export Region— Anita Sutha
Star Woman Agripreneur— Mavis Alahire Aboko
She operates— Joy okrah
Princess Carla— Hawawu Gbahara
Gold in the Soil— Portia Asumda
This year the Awards Scheme received 131 nominations from both Upper East and Upper West Region. Out of the number, 45 women were shortlisted and 14 awarded. A special Gold in the Soil award went to Canada as a development partner.
This year WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil Award was in partnership with Canadian High Commission, ABSA Ghana and YARA, INTERPLAST, OCP AFRICA, PEG AFRICA, LUMINANT ELECTRICALS AND RDF GHANA.
Collaborating Institution included, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD) and the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG).
The GOLD In the Soil AWARDS, is an annual awards scheme, solely dedicated to contribute in strengthening and projecting a paradigm shift of celebrating women farmers, processors, marketers and women who are playing a role within the agricultural value chain, including women into Transportation, packaging, Technology, input dealers, etc. The Awards moves from Region to Region yearly to search for these extraordinary women who contribute significantly to putting food on our tables daily. Their story is shared and broadcasted through a documentary series produced by Agrihouse Foundation.
Impacts of WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil Awards
Since inception three years (3) ago, WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil awards has impacted the lives and businesses of women in the agri-business space. So far 25% of women participants who were not into Agribusiness as at the time they attended the event, have now ventured into agribusiness. Similarly, about 900 women who were groomed to take up leadership roles have had their capacity built up to push for growth and expansion at the grassroots.
In 2019, almost a quarter of the nominees for the Gold in the Soil Awards made entries into the National Best Farmers Award Scheme at district, regional and national levels with about 7 of them winning laurels at the district and regional levels whilst 2 of them picked up awards at the National awards.
The training offered on proper management and book keeping have proven impactful. A follow up evaluation carried out 3 months after each event reveals that, past participants have been able to access loan facilities to support their farms and businesses. Furthermore, information and guidance provided by the Netherlands embassy and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) equipped some of the women farmers on the standard procedures, best practices and how to go documentations to export their produce. This has helped about 13 women to start the process to go into exportation.
