The Techiman South Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Benjamin Yaw Gyarko, has urged Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) to adopt a more open and inclusive approach when registering farmers for the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) 2.0 program.
Hon. Gyarko emphasized the human-centered nature of PFJ 2.0, reminding AEAs to treat farmers with respect during the registration process.
He made this assertion while addressing supporting staff, AEAs, District Development Officers, and the Municipal Director of Agriculture at a recent technical review meeting held at the Bonokyempem Hall at the Techiman South Municipality of the Bono East Region.
During his speech, he highlighted the importance of engaging farmers, facilitating their registration, and providing ongoing support.
“These measures are crucial for the program’s success in promoting agricultural productivity, sustainability, and improved livelihoods in Techiman and the Bono East Region as a whole.”
“The PFJ 2.0 is a human-centered program. You must treat farmers with respect and ensure that all farmers within your area are registered to enjoy the program’s benefits.” He stated.
By encouraging a proactive and inclusive approach, Hon. Benjamin Yaw Gyarko aims to enhance accessibility, awareness, and participation of smallholder farmers in government-led agricultural initiatives.
These initiatives provide essential inputs, resources, and knowledge to optimize farming practices, increase yields, and improve food security and income.
The MCE commended the Techiman South Municipal Assembly’s Department of Agriculture for their efforts in farmer registration.
However, he encouraged them to bridge the gap between the number of registered farmers and the number of registered farms.
“I am impressed with the farmer registration data,” he acknowledged.
“I understand there were technical challenges, but your hard work and determination were commendable in overcoming them.”
“While the data shows a high number of registered farmers, the number of registered farms remains low. I urge you to close this gap between farmer and farm registration,” He disclosed.
The target for the Techiman South Municipality is to register over 968 farmers on the PFJ 2.0 platform.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
