Plans are far advanced for Agrihouse Foundation’s fourth (4th) edition of the Women in Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and the Gold in the Soil Awards to be held in Takoradi in the Western Region tomorrow.
The award which will be held under the theme, “Agriwoman: Recover – Grow – Stand Out” seeks to further drum home the point to put into a better perspective the role of women in the Agriculture sector and provide the platform and opportunities to better compete and be propelled to the zenith of agribusiness.
The two (2) day event, which moves from region to region annually to support women farmers and women-led Agribusinesses opens from tomorrow, Wednesday, June 22 to Thursday, June 23, 2022 at the Akroma Plaza, Takoradi.
Beyond the capacity building, mentorship and technical demonstrations, the women will also be supported with knapsacks, Wellington boots, planters, fertilizers, tricycles and other productive products to support their farming activities.
The IGOGHANA brings you profile of the nominees for the Awards:
Edna is a bold and beautiful Poultry Farmer in the Western Region, with 1000’s of broilers and layers. Her journey to becoming a Poultry Farmer is an amazing one. She is a born fighter and happy to be nominated for the Feed To Food Award.
Her extraordinary story, has been documented, to be shared with you soon to inspire, motivate and support in telling the story of how our women farmers are growing community Agriculture.
Joyce Asante is a blind Cocoa and Vegetable Farmer from the Western North Region. She is among 7 other Women Farmers with Disabilities to be receiving this year’s Honorary – Super Woman Award category for her extraordinary commitment, to farm to feed her households and community, notwithstanding her challenges.
Esther, from Dzatokrom in the Western North Region is a 10-year old physically challenged and a Maize and Yam Farmer. She will be receiving an Honorary Super – Girl Award specially created for her in this year’s Awards.
Its amazing what Esther is doing at such a young age. Beyond giving Esther inputs and equipment for her farm, she will also get a wheelchair. Esther’s positive attitude and can-do spirit is driving growth of Community Agriculture.
From Wasa Angu in the Western Region is the “ever-smiling” 74-year old Farmer and Queenmother growing Maize, Cocoa, Yam and Vegetables.
Madam Ekua has been nominated for the Royal Agro Award Category. Her passion for growth and influence as a Royal, is encouraging young women around her to embrace sustainable farming.
Madam Rebecca is a 52-year old visually impaired and a Maize, Cocoa and Plantain Farmer with over 10 acres of farm. She will be receiving a Special Super-Woman Award.
She has been enabling and supporting young women in her community to adopt best practices to be sustainable farmers.
From Apremdo in the Western Region, Mercy is a Poultry Farmer using innovative and appropriate farm practices to manage her birds. Mercy’s structure and style of farming keeps driving attention and attracting her neighbours and others within her community to venture into Poultry.
Her hopes to establish a state-of-the-art processing facility and create employment along the value chain is beginning to materialize. Her story of determination, passion and signature smile amidst challenges has been captivating.
Affectionately called Abi Yaa, the 30-year old physically challenged and a mother of 8 children, has been able to put all her 8 kids in school, four in primary and the others in vocational school.
All her kids, after school, support her on her 2 acre Cocoa, Pear, Plantain and Cassava farm. This is how they have been surviving in the Kama Boadi District, where they reside.
Madam Joyce found peace and happiness in the soil after she lost one of her legs. She went into the nursing and sales of Cocoa seedlings and gradually became a Cocoa Farmer.
Madam Akua Atta is a 65-year-old hearing and speech impaired woman with a passion for farming. Amazingly, she is one of the best negotiators when selling her farm produce after harvesting.
Her business mindset approach has naturally made her consistent buyers who have been able to adopt the sign language, making it easier to seal a deal and buy her produce.
Madam Ophelia, a woman farmer with disabilities owns a 4 acre of Cocoa and Palmnut farm. She recently expanded her business to include an oil palm processing factory, which is doing very well. She has been able to provide jobs for young people in her community.
Talk of a community female superhero in Dompim community, and all hands will point to Aunt Monica. When her community needed part of her strategically located farmland, for a school project, she willingly donated part of the land to them and her effort has earned the community the Dompin 1 Primary and JHS, getting more and more young people to be enrolled in school.
She presently owns 32 acres of Maize, Plantain, Cassava, Yam, Coconut and Cocoyam. She also has a goat, sheep and poultry farm.
She has supported a number of youth to venture into farming by providing them with seeds and soft loans.
