Farmers in districts honoured for hard work

Hardworking farmers in various districts in all the regions of the country were rewarded for their efforts at the 34th National Farmers Day celebrations.

This year’s celebration was limited to the national event and at the district level.

At the Tema West Municipality, eight farmers were rewarded with various items for their hard work, writes Benjamin Xornam Glover.

Thirty-seven-year old Comfort Nsoh was adjudged the Best Municipal farmer this year.

She received a tricycle, knapsack sprayer, cutlasses, Wellington boots, a wheelbarrow, fertiliser, agro chemicals, soap, among others.

Ms Irene Doh emerged the best agro processor; Mr Ernest Sorgborjor won the Best Fisherman, Ms Catherine Dzikunu, a teacher, won the Best Livestock farmer, Mr Akwasi Amankwah won Best Agripreneur while Mr Seta Ibrahim was adjudged Best Crop farmer.

The Tema West Municipal Assembly (TWMA) Chief Executive, Mrs Adwoa Amoako, lauded the farmers for their hard work and said the district assembly was working  to attract more investors into the agricultural sector to enable the farmers and fishermen in the district to reap the best out of their toils.

She said in 2019, the assembly would roll out the Planting for Export and Rural Development programme and establish the district centre for agricultural commerce and technology to help achieve the one district, one factory objective.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema West Constituency, Mr Carlos Ahenkorah, called on the Ministry of Education to treat agriculture as a core subject in primary schools.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Tema West, Mrs Adwoa Amoako, congratulating Ms Comfort Nsoh, the municipal best farmer

Sekondi/Takoradi

Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu reports from the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis that 52-year-old John Eshun of Whindo emerged the Overall Best Farmer.

He received a large size deep freezer, sewing and spraying machines, Wellington boots, 10 cutlasses, wax print, a radio set, plastic chair and a bag of lime.

Mr Eshun, who has been farming for more than 30 years, cultivates 13 acres of oil palm, three acres each of plantain and cassava, two acres of vegetables and also rears livestock.

The Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Anthony K.K. Sam, commended the farmers for feeding and contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

He said the government, through the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, would ensure food sufficiency, reduce food imports and create meaningful employment, especially for the youth.

The ceremony was attended by MPs in the two districts, as well as chiefs and opinion leaders from various parts of the region.

Sunyani West District

From the Sunyani West District, Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Biiya Mukusah Ali report that a 35-year-old Agriculture Science teacher at the Sunyani Senior High School (SHS), Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Asare, was adjudged the best farmer at the Farmers Day celebration held at Fiapre.

 Desmond Anaaba came second and Frank Fredrick won the third best farmer in the district. In all, 23 farmers were recognised for their exploits in farming in the district.

Mr Asare was rewarded with a motorbike, a 32-inch flat screen television set, a knapsack spraying machine among other items, while Mr Anaaba received a deep freezer and other farm inputs.

For his prize, Mr Fredrick received a 32-inch flat screen television set and some farm inputs.
The Sunyani West District Chief Executive, Mr Martin Obeng, urged farmers to adopt best agricultural practices and engage agriculture extension officers to help them address their challenges.

Wa East

Abu Adamu, a 45-year-old farmer from Kundungu won the Overall Best Farmer award for the Wa East District in the Upper West Region, writes Michael Quaye.

He received a tricycle, two cutlasses, a knapsack sprayer, and a pair of Wellington boots as his prize.

Mr Adamu, a livestock and crop farmer, topped 19 awardees, who included four women.

The Chief Executive for the Wa East District Assembly, Mr Moses Jotie, said to move the agricultural sector towards self- sustenance, there was the need to work on public perception about agriculture and provision of the requisite infrastructure to boost the sector, as well as providing access to ready markets and sources of finance.

Mr Moses Jotie, Wa East District Chief Executive and other dignitaries inspecting the produce of farmers on exhibition at the event

Afadjato South

Tim Dzamboe reports from Nyagbo-Gagbefe in the Afadjato South District in the Volta Region that eight farmers were honoured.

Their prizes included a tricycle, Wellington boots, fridges, cutlasses, farm inputs and certificates.

Mr Nelson Kuampah won the Overall Best Farmer; Mr Emmanuel Anku was the 1st runner-up  and Mr David Anku took the position of the 2nd runner-up.

The best district crop farmer was Ms Margaret Saku; best woman in agriculture was Ms Mary Ativor; best youth in agriculture was Mr George Hodzi and best agriculture worker was Mr Jude Atsu Agameti.

Addressing the durbar, the Afadjato South District Chief Executive, Mr Wisdom Seneadza, commended the award winners and urged other farmers to invest more in agriculture to boost the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs programme.

Afigya Kwabre North District

From the  Afigya Kwabre North District, Emmanuel Baah reports that Mr Tom Kwarteng Amaning, a retired United Nations Engineer, was adjudged the Overall Best Farmer of the Afigya Kwabre North District in the region.

He took home a tricycle and some agro chemical products.

Madam Dora Addai and Nana Adjei Manu Bechie, placed second and third best farmer positions, respectively.

In all, 20 distinguished farmers  were honoured.

The Minister of  National Security, Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, who owns the AKD Piggery, was adjudged the Best Small Ruminant Farmer.

Speaking at the ceremony, the District Chief  Executive, Mr Kwasi Karikari Acheamfuor, commended Mr Dapaah for his commitment to agriculture and urged other elite in society to venture into agriculture.

Lower Manya Krobo

Seventeen farmers in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality were also honoured at the Farmers Day event held at Akuse,  reports  Ezekiel E. Sottie
Sixty-one-year old Mr Amanor Aguale, was adjudged the best farmer for 2018.

He received a double door fridge, wheelbarrow, Wellington boots, knapsack sprayer, drinkers, pruning saw, tomato processing machine, wax print, one packet of roofing sheets, solar lamp, cutlass, key soap and maize seeds.

The Lower Manya Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Simon Kweku Tetteh, who addressed the farmers, said under the One District, One Factory programme, approval had been given for the establishment of a mango juice processing factory,  honey processing, poultry feed production and cement processing factories in the municipality.

Adentan Municipality

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson reports from the Adentan Municipal Assembly that a 42-year-old livestock and poultry farmer, Mr Muhammed Ahmed Charley, was adjudged the Municipal Best Farmer.

Fourteen other farmers were also rewarded. They included the best crops farmer, best livestock farmer, best physically challenged farmer, best fish farmer, best youth farmer, best vegetable farmer, best backyard farmer and best woman farmer.

The Adentan Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Daniel Alexander Nii-Noi Adumuah, lauded the farmers for their enormous contributions to the economy and well-being of people.

He said the assembly would continue to support farmers to enable them to increase their yields and also improve their lives.

Mr Joseph Cudjoe (2nd left), a Deputy Minister of Energy and MP for Kwesimintsim, interacting with farmers who had their produce on display at the ceremony. Picture: Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu

Ga East

From the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Juliet Akyaa Safo reports that a 46-year-old livestock farmer, Gerald Hagan, was adjudged the best farmer.

The second and third best farmer positions were won by 32-year-old Abdul Sammed Adam and Mr Prince Charles Minta, 62, who are both into crop and livestock production.

A 41-year-old woman, Madam Margaret Adarkwa, won the Best Female Farmer award, while Mr Adade Agyare Kwabi, 58, won the Best Physically Challenged farmer award.

The Municipal Chief Executive of the assembly, Mrs Janet Tulasi Mensah, said the assembly had allocated GH¢147,856.14 with additional GH¢123,402.98t from the Canadian government to improve agriculture in the municipality come 2019.

“The assembly has also approved the release of funds to assist 45 youths to venture into poultry, mushroom production, grasscutter and rabbit rearing,” she added.

AMA

Eight farmers were rewarded by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), reports Philip Boateng Kessie.

The Overall Best Farmer award went to Mr Emmanuel Pappoe, a 61-year-old who is into livestock production.
 
Two women, Madam Theodora Dugah and Madam Deborah Kotsoo, also won the best agro processor and best food processor awards respectively.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Adjei Sowah, congratulated the winners on their outstanding contributions and urged them to continue to give their best for the benefit of the country.

LEKMA

A 24-year-old man, Mr Moro Nuhu ,who is into farming and livestock production, was adjudged the Overall Best Farmer in the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly (LeKMA), reports Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori.

Mr Nuhu was honoured with a certificate, a Rambo Polytank, a double door fridge, Wellington boots, cutlass, GTP wax print, knapsack sprayer, a bar of key soap and a hamper.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Mrs Evelyn Twum-Gyamrah, congratulated the farmers and encouraged them to do more.

For his part, the Municipal  Director of Agriculture , Mr Felix Nii Ayi Hammond, urged farmers who did not win any award not to give up, but to work harder in order for them to be recognised in future.