By Michael Oberteye:
The Shai Osudoku district in the Greater Accra region has at a colourful ceremony graced by traditional and political leaders rewarded eighteen of its hardworking farmers to mark the 31st edition of the Farmers’ Day celebrations. The celebration which was under the nationwide theme of Transforming Ghana, Investing In Agriculture, was a monumental move to recognize the contributions of the agricultural sector and its hardworking farmers.
The most revered prize of the day, the overall district best farmer went to Alfred Togbenu, a mixed crop farmer based at Tsumkpo. For his prize, he rode home a tricycle with a carrier to aid the conveyance of his farm produce from the farm to the market centers. Mr. Togbenu also received a pair of wellington boots, a cutlass and a spraying machine to help in his farming activities.
Seventeen other winners of different categories included best female district farmer, Happy Appiah Korkor. For her prize, she rode home a bicycle to aid her movement to and from the farm. Madam Appiah also received a cutlass, a wax print as well as a spraying machine.
Other categories included best maize farmer, plantain, Tilapia grow-out, pepper, sugar-cane, mango, grasscutter, piggery, best AEA, local poultry, exotic poultry, physically challenged, rice, cattle and goats and sheep. For their various prizes, winners received a set of bicycle, wax print, spraying machine, basins, a pair of wellington boots and a certificate.
The event which eventually kicked off at about 11:00 am was witnessed by a fairly appreciable crowd at the Presbyterian park at Agomeda.
Most of the award winners who spoke to ritefmonline expressed glee and satisfaction at the awards. Nii Adotey Saka, District Information Officer and chairman for publicity for the Farmers’ Day planning committee of the Shai Osudoku district however expressed regret at the fact that this year’s prizes saw no improvement from last year’s, adding that their budget of Gh c 40.00 was met with only Gh c 30.00. According to him, the district spent a similar amount during last year’s event which meant the awards did not see a significant improvement.
He was however particularly pleased with the award for the district best farmer of a tricycle which he said was critical for his improved farming rather than the set of living room furniture awarded last year.
Chairman of the event, Nene Nornor Sordji, chided their forefathers for abandoning their ‘rich lands’ and instead chasing after cocoa opportunities in other lands. He said farming which is the second institution initiated by God after marriage provides 65% of job opportunities for the people.
Host of the Occasion, the District Chief Executive, Mr. Emmanuel Nartey boasted in the fact that the district boasted of the biggest rice farm in the country at Asutsuare. Not only that, he also took delight in Golden Exotic which he said was the biggest banana farm in Ghana. He said there were big plans to import rice farming equipment to strengthen rice production in the district and charged the country to learn to produce what we eat instead of relying heavily on import.
He said was particularly pleased that the district had been able to draw in the African Development Bank.
On her part, the Director of Agriculture for the Shai Osudoku district, Miss Gladys Summa said the well-trained field officers supported farmers in the district for the improvement in agriculture. She however mentioned the challenges hampering agricultural development in the country as financial, urbanization and the climatic changes. She challenged investors to invest in farm equipment such as tractors and combine harvesters to help improve crop yield.
Sitting Member of Parliament, honourable David Tetteh Assumeng praised the award winners and offered to support them with his farm equipment at a subsidized cost.
Several exhibitions on display included special varieties of cassava such as Otuhia, Ankrah, Bankyehemaa, Potatoes (12 varieties), mango seedlings, plantain, groundnut, yam, beans, corn grasscutter, guinea fowl, etc.
There was also a visiting delegation from Mali to grace the occasion.
source: ritefmonline.org
