Adieye (W/R) Dec. 5, GNA - Some 22 farmers and three organisations were on Friday honoured at the 25th
Western Regional and Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Farmers Day celebration held at Adieye near Tarkwa.
Mr Sylvester Amoo Quarm of the Wassa Amenfi West District was adjudged the Best Regional Farmer with Mr Kweku Odum of New Takoradi emerging as the Regional Best Fisherman.
Other award winners were Mr Francis Cobbinah, Regional Best Coconut Farmer, Mr Nobert Nyameke of Ahanta West, Regional Best Palm Oil Farmer, Nana Kwame Sam of Shama, Regional Best Rice Farmer and Miss Margaret Mua of Nzema East, Regional Best Root and Tuber Farmer.
The Twin-City Radio at Sekondi was awarded as the best FM Station.
At the Municipal level, 17 farmers were presented with awards with Mr Kofi Dosoo of Mile 10 (One and half) picking the Municipal Best Farmer Award while Miss Esther Djaume became the Municipal Best Woman Farmer.
Their prizes included television sets, sound systems, cutlasses, Wellington boots, sewing machines, mattresses and corn mills.
Speaking at the function, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Regional Minister, expressed concern about the smuggling of premix fuel to la Cote d ' Ivoire to the detriment of the country's fishing industry.
He said smuggling of the product was undermining efforts to improve the fisheries sector and make fish available to the people at moderate prices.
Mr Aidoo said the Police were tracking down some fishermen on the high seas who were smuggling premix fuel to the neighbouring country.
He said those arrested would be prosecuted.
He also expressed dissatisfaction about the smuggling of rubber to neighbouring countries and said this was undermining efforts of the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited to boost production.
Mr Aidoo said the Regional Security Council was poised to take drastic action against illegal miners popularly called galamsey operators.
He said about 98 per cent of the operators hailed outside the region and were undermining security.
He said 1,300 hectares of coconut fields have been replanted under the Coconut Sector Development project, benefiting 1,025 farmers in 30 communities.
Mr Aidoo said the project had established a total area of 37. 2 hectares of seed garden at Bonsaso and Aiyinasi to produce improved seedlings that are tolerant to the Cape Saint Wilt Disease (CSPWD).
He said the Inland Valley Rice Development Project was being implemented in nine districts in the region including the Shama, Mpohor Wassa East, Wassa Amenfi West, Aowin-Suaman, Sefwi Wiawso, Juabeso and Bia districts as well as the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
He said the project was supporting farmers, rice millers and traders in various forms, which include modern techniques in production, proper land development, good water management and equipment such as power tillers, moisture metres and thrashers as well as credit to purchase agricultural inputs.
Mrs Mary Asiamah, Regional Director of Agriculture, said her sector Ministry would intensify its educational campaign on the safe and efficient use and management of pesticides on crops especially vegetables.
GNA
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