Easter Region awards farmers

Kade (E/R), Nov, 7 GNA - Twenty farmers received District awards, while twenty-five others received Regional awards for their hard work, dedication and excellence at the Eastern Regional Farmers Day celebration at Kade at the week-end.

This year's over-all best farmer for the Region was Nene Tetteh Odonkor from Somanya. He received 1 corn mill, a sewing machine, a sound system, a pair of Wellington boots, a full piece of wax print, and five cutlasses.

The over-all best district farmer was Mr. Daniel Owusu from Takrowase. He took home a bicycle, a spraying machine, a Hifi sound system, a full piece of wax print, a bag of fertilizer, a pair of Wellington boots, 2 bars of key soap, a lantern and a certificate of honour.

K. Akyea and Mr. Kofi Bosompem,a Transport Owner.

The best Agricultural Agricultural Extension Agent was Mr. Charles Martinson while the best District Development Officer was Mr. Frank Aboagye. They all received cutlasses, half pieces of wax prints, Wellington boots, bars of key soaps, lanterns and certificates of honour.

The Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. S. Oklu commended the Kwaebibirem district for its great contribution in the agricultural sector.

He said the district has been able to produce three farmers to receive national awards in agriculture.

He said Kwaebibirem, Birim North and Birim South districts have been selected among other districts to promote rice cultivation on 1,625 acres of land.

He urged the farmers to form associations to enable them to receive loans from banks and the government to enhance their businesses. Mr. Kwabena Baidoo Addo, a Research Scientist of the Oil Palm Research Institute at Kusi, who educated the people on the President's Special Initiative (PSI) programmes said the aim of the government is to assist farmers in the area by providing them with high quality oil palm seedlings to cultivate their farms.

He said however, that the farmers would later pay back after harvesting. This process, which he said would be gradual would enable the farmers to cultivate their farms and also remove them from poverty. Dr. Francis Osafo Mensah Eastern Regional Minister commended farmers in the region for their great contribution to the nation. He assured them that the government would continue to assist them at all times.

Dr. Osafo Mensah expressed concern about the inability of many farmers to apply the appropriate chemicals to their crops due ignorance adding, "this is dangerous to human health.

He therefore, appealed to the Foods and Drugs Board to ensure that what is produced for human consumption would not have any adverse effect on the health of the people.