Apemanim (W/R)-Ghana, Nov. 27, GNA – The Ahanta West Municipal Assembly, has joined 13 other Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Western Region has awarded some deserving farmers and fishers for their outstanding contributions to the development of the agricultural sector.
The 39th edition of the Farmers’ Day celebration, held at Apemanim, in the Ahanta West Municipality, was on the theme: “Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience”.
Mr Stephen Osagyefo Rowell, a 44-year-old farmer from Aboadi Community was adjudged the Overall Best Farmer in the Municipality.
He received a knapsack sprayer, five pairs of wellington boots, six cutlasses, a 32-inch television, six bags of organic fertilizer, a motor tricycle, and a certificate of recognition as his prizes.
Mr Rowell, who employs seven permanent and 20 casual workers, owns a seven-acre rubber plantation, nine and half acres of cocoa plantation, 17 acres of maize farm, a three-acre cassava plantation, a half-acre of cabbage farm and a half-acre of garden eggs farm.
Others are 21 goats, 50 poultry birds, nine sheep, seven rabbits, seven guinea pigs, 17 snails, 5,000 tilapia and 2,000 catfish.
Mr Richard Asumbura, 36, from Kejebil, was awarded the Best Livestock Farmer, and took home a knapsack sprayer, two pairs of wellington boots, four cutlasses, a wheel barrow, four bags of wheat bran, and a certificate of recognition.
He has 10 cattle, 33 goats, 44 sheep, 3,000 poultry birds, an acre each of maize and plantain farms, and three permanent and four casual workers.
Mr Kwaku Kinnah, a 50-year-old from Banso, received a knapsack sprayer, two pairs of wellington boots, four cutlasses, a wheel barrow, three bags of organic fertiliser, a 32 inch television, and a certificate of recognition as the prizes for being crowned the Best Crop Farmer in the Municipality.
He also has two acres of oil palm plantation, six and half acres of cocoa, five acres of cassava, a half-acre of vegetables, 30 acres of rubber plantation, one and half acres of coconut plantation, 10 local poultry birds, four sheep and five beehives.
The Best Youth in Agriculture award went to 47-year-old Mr John Bonney, from Busua, who has 30 acres of oil palm plantation, two acres of coconut, an acre of cassava, a half-acre of yam, two acres of pineapple, an acre of plantain, a half-acre of pepper, an acre of beans, 15 goats and 10 local poultry birds.
His prizes were a knapsack sprayer, two pairs of wellington boots, four cutlasses, a wheel barrow, a mountain bicycle, three bags of organic fertiliser and a certificate of recognition.
Mrs Patricia Quansah, a 60-year old from Apemanim No 2, was awarded the Best Agro Processor, and took home a knapsack sprayer, two pairs of wellington boots, four cutlasses, two aluminium basins, a wax print, and a certificate of recognition.
She has two acres of cassava, an acre of garden eggs, four frying pans, a cassava grater, a cassava presser, two goats and nine ducks.
Other awardees were Mr Nicholas Aglago, Best Agricultural Extension Agent, Mr John Gasu, Best Marine Farmer and Mr Thomas Agbavor Dzanado, Best Cocoa Farmer.
The rest were Mr Louis Obiri Gyau Boamah, Best Controlled Environment Agriculture and Nyame Bekyere Cassava Producers and Processors Association, Best Farmer-Based Organisation (FBO).
Mr John Agyare, Ahanta West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), congratulated the awardees for their hard work and dedication towards the growth of the agricultural sector in the area, and by extension the country.
He said the crucial role that the agricultural sector played in the country’s economy could not be overemphasized, and that it was imperative to reward those that had dedicated themselves to advance the sector.
Mr Felix Blay Kenyah, the Municipal Director of Agriculture, encouraged the youth to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the agricultural sector and venture into agribusiness to help improve their living standards.
The Overall Best Farmer, Mr Rowell, expressed delight and gratitude at the recognition and honour done him and encouraged other farmers to work hard to receive similar rewards in the future.
He, however, said the sector was faced with some challenges such as poor road network, inadequate access to credit facilities and high cost of inputs among others, and appealed to authorities to put in place efficient measures to resolve such issues to help spur the sector.
