Akrobi-Wenchi (B/R)-Ghana, Dec. 03, GNA – Catechist Peter Kwadwo Gyan, a 57-year-old farmer and catechist of the Sebreni Presbyterian Church near Drobo in the Jaman South Municipality was adjudged the best farmer in the Bono Region during the 39th farmers Day celebration at Akrobi-Wenchi.
With an impressive 27 years of experience, Mr Gyan cultivates a wide range of crops including cocoa, coconut, maize, plantain, cocoyam, vegetables and cash crops as well as livestock production.
In recognition of his exceptional dedication, Mr. Gyan was awarded with a tricycle and other valuable farm inputs.
Comfort Asante from Chiraa was recognized as the Best Female Farmer, Atta Kwabena Tangba from Tangba (Nkonsia) was crowned the best physically challenged farmer in the region, and Musah Nuhu of Krakrom received the award for the best livestock farmer.
Several farmers in the cocoa and fish farming industries were commended for their invaluable services to agriculture in the region.
In addition, twelve distinguished farmers from the Wenchi Municipality were also acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to agriculture in the Municipality and their significant impact on the local farming community.
Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister, emphasized the need for adaptive innovations and technologies in the evolving agricultural landscape,stressing the importance of empowering farmers to employ smart solutions to produce on a large scale.
According to her, smart solutions encompassed a range of possibilities, including precision farming, agric-tech, efficient water management, and crop diversification.
Madam Owusu-Banahene further highlighted the importance of investing in research and development, providing farmers with the necessary tools and knowledge to enhance productivity while preserving the environment.
She emphasized that achieving sustainable food security is not just a goal but a responsibility for future generations and advocated for promoting eco-friendly practices, supporting organic farming, and paving the way for a robust agricultural sector that can withstand the challenges of climate.
Mr. Dennis Amenga Abugri, the Bono Regional Director of Agriculture observed that smart solution to address the issue of limited access to credit and agricultural financing was the input credit system, a key component of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) 2.0 initiative.
He said under the credit system of PFJ 2.0, beneficiary farmers no longer needed to worry about securing credit to finance their operations.
He explained that farmers can now rely on an accredited aggregator to provide essential inputs such as mechanized services, quality seeds, fertilizers, and necessary agrochemicals on credit.
Later in an interview with the media, Mr Gyan called for an increase in governmental support for farmers, particularly the youth who possessed the willingness to engage in farming but lacked the necessary resources.
He suggested that various forms of motivation should be introduced, such as reducing the prices of fertilizers and other farm inputs.
Making farmlands more accessible to the youth could serve as a powerful incentive to encourage more young individuals to embrace farming as a viable career option to contribute to the nation’s food security and economic growth, he added.
