Retired teacher wins best farmer in Asante Akim South

Asankare (Ash), Dec.5, GNA - Twenty deserving farmers in the Asante Akim South District have been rewarded at this year's Farmers Day celebration held at Asankare near Juaso in the Ashanti Region.

Mr. Kwasi Appau Badu, a 63-year-old retired teacher, who emerged the overall best farmer, took home a television set, bicycle, two pairs of wellington boots, six cutlasses and a knapsack sprayer as his prize

Mr. Badu, a citizen of Banso near Obogu, took over from Nana Kyei Ababio, the chief of Banso, who was adjudged the best farmer in 2008.

This year's event, which marked the 25th Anniversary of the National Farmers' Day, was attended by past award winners, assembly members, heads of departments, chiefs and the general public, some of whom received cutlasses for displaying various farm produce at the durbar.

Mr. De-graft Forkuo, District Chief Executive (DCE), paid glowing tribute to farmers for toiling to feed Ghanaians over the years, saying their achievement was worth celebrating.

He said government was making strenuous effort to address the numerous challenges facing farmers to ensure sustainable agricultural development.

Mr Forkuo mentioned post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage facilities, low recovery of credit to farmers and inadequate irrigation facilities as some of the factors militating against modernisation of agriculture to ensure higher yield.

The DCE said that remarkable progress was being made to modernise agriculture through the provision of improved varieties of crops and breeds of animals by researchers.

Mr. Forkuo said that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture had allocated GH¢4,200 to 18 farmers in the district and each farmer received between GH¢100 and GH¢500 for the cultivation of maize during the minor season.

Nana Yaw Osei, Presiding Member of the assembly, expressed reservation about the practice whereby few farmers were rewarded heavily at the national level, adding that it was not motivating enough for the majority of farmers.

He suggested that the celebration should be held only at the district level to cover more farmers and also ensure that award winners were well rewarded.

GNA