By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Antoa (Ash), Dec. 08, GNA - Madam Beatrice Mpianim, a 46-year-old woman from Krobo, has been adjudged the Best Farmer in the Kwabre East District at this year's National Farmers Day held at Antoa.
She took home a tricycle, knapsack sprayer, 10 cutlasses, two pairs of Wellington boots and a wax print.
Nana Kwame Amoako and Micheal Antwi Boasiako placed second and third respectively.
"Agriculture: Moving Ghana Beyond Aid" was the theme chosen for this year's celebration, which marked the 34th Anniversary of the event.
Twelve farmers were recognised for their hard work in various categories such as best vegetable, cocoa, pineapple, youth, women and physically challenged farmers.
Nana Osei Assibey Bonsu, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), commended farmers for working all year round to feed the nation.
He said farmers deserved to be celebrated considering the crucial role they played in the socio-economic development of the country.
Revamping the agricultural sector, he said, formed part of a comprehensive strategy by government to achieve the "Ghana Beyond Aid" agenda and urged all stakeholders to embrace the policy.
He said the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) was a deliberate incentive package expected to increase food production while creating jobs for the masses and urged the youth to take advantage to improve their lives.
Nana Assibey Bonsu disclosed that the Assembly, this year, nursed and distributed 13,000 cocoa seedlings to farmers, and that plans were underway to produce 25,000 more in 2019.
The MCE said government had engaged about 12,000 agricultural extension agents across the country to provide services to farmers and urged farmers to work closely with them to increase yield.
Mr Yaw Okyere, the Municipal Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, said the Municipality witnessed an increase in food production, especially maize.
This, he noted, was as a result of the increase in the patronage of the PFJ, as more than 300 farmers had subscribed to the programme.
He, however, expressed worry over the slow recovery rate and urged the farmers to pay for the input they received to ensure sustainability of the programme.
GNA
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