Akrofuom DCE wins 2024 Best District Coconut farmer

Dr. Maurice Jonas Woode, Chief Executive of the Akrofuom District Assembly, was named the 2024 Best District Coconut Farmer at the district’s Farmers' Day celebration held in Nkoranza, Akrofuom District.

Dr. Woode, known for his dedication to agriculture, currently oversees a 17-acre coconut farm, 10,000 tilapia, and a 40-acre cocoa farm.

The overall Best Farmer award for the district went to Emmanuel Ofori from Bekawopa in the Grumesa electoral area. His prizes included a tricycle, weedicides, a seed planter, a knapsack sprayer, bars of Key soap, Wellington boots, GTP wax fabric, a cutlass, a sharpening stone, and a television.

Dr. Woode commended the farmers for their contributions to food security, noting the critical role of the "Planting for Food and Jobs" initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Ghanaian farmers helped supply essential food items domestically and even supported plantain exports.

While recognizing the challenges of cereal farming in the district due to limited lowland areas, Dr. Woode applauded the efforts of farmers in Bekawopa and Agyeikrom who continue to grow cereals. He emphasized the importance of involving youth in agriculture to address the aging farming population and explained that award-winning farmers are selected based on extension officers' recommendations, which are rooted in good farming practices.

The DCE urged farmers to work closely with extension officers to improve productivity. He highlighted the second phase of the "Planting for Food and Jobs" program, explaining that farmers need only secure land, as all necessary inputs will be provided by the aggregator. He encouraged youth to seize this opportunity, emphasizing the profitability of farming.

Nana Owusu Sekyere II (Asaasehene) also encouraged youth engagement in farming, stressing its potential to enhance food abundance and create employment. He urged local chiefs to support agriculture by providing land, reframing farming as a profitable business rather than a low-level job. Nana Sekyere further called for unity and peace, especially with upcoming elections, and appealed to the District Chief Executive and assembly to inaugurate a new public toilet in Nkoransa, stressing its urgent need.

In his speech, Best Farmer Emmanuel Ofori expressed gratitude to the DCE, extension officers, veterinary officers, district chiefs, including Nana Akoto, and his community for their support. In an interview, Mr. Ofori shared that he combines farming with his pastoral duties to increase food production and create jobs for needy church members. Previously, he was recognized as the Best Rice Farmer in 2019 and as the Best Aquaculture Farmer.

Starting his farming journey at a young age, Mr. Ofori aspires to become the Best Farmer at the national level. He encouraged Ghanaian pastors to consider farming due to the country’s abundant land, emphasizing that it could enhance food production and offer additional income and employment for church members.

Overall, the 40th Farmers' Day celebration in Akrofuom District underscored the importance of farming and the significant contributions local farmers make to food security and economic growth, demonstrating the district’s commitment to supporting and promoting agriculture in the region.