New Juaben marks Farmers' Day at Asokore

Koforidua, Dec. 1, GNA - Twenty-six farmers in the New Juaben Municipality received prizes worth 54 millions cedis in recognition for their meritorious services in ensuring food security in the Koforidua Municipality at this year's Farmers' Day celebration at Asokore, near Koforidua.

Mr F.W.K. Akuffo of Suhyen Mpaem, a suburb of the Municipality, was adjudged the Best Municipal Farmer ahead of Mr Victor Doe of Kentekre and Mr Osei Agyemang of Ademposo, who came second and third, respectively, with the best female farmer going to Madam Comfort Osei of Nyamekrom.

Thirteen others received consolation prizes while nine others were recognized for their specialty in some staple crops.

In an address the Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Akwasi Adjei-Boateng expressed concerns about the unwillingness of many youths to venture into farming to help to stem the rural-urban drift. He referred to a study conducted recently in the Municipality, which indicated that 57 per cent of the 10,775 people engaged in agriculture were above 40 years, a trend, he said, showed worrying signals for improved and sustained agricultural production. The MCE said notwithstanding this, the Government was pressing on with the Youth Employment Programme of which nearly 22 million cedis was given to youths undertaking projects in vegetable production while another 60 million cedis was used to support youth engaged in reforestation projects in four communities.

The Municipal Agriculture Director, Mr G.Y.A. Adukpo said 96 farmers were given 150 million cedis to go into maize cultivation.

At Koforidua, twenty-six farmers in the New Juaben Municipality received prizes totalling 54 millions in recognition for their meritorious services in ensuring food security in the Koforidua Municipality as ceremonies went underway for this year's Farmers Day. Mr F.W.K. Akuffo of Suhyen Mpaem, a suburb of the Municipality was adjudged the Best Municipal Farmer ahead of Mr Victor Doe of Kentekre and Mr Osei Agyemang of Ademposo, who came second and third respectively with the best female farmer going to Madam Comfort Osei of Nyamekrom.

Thirteen personalities received consolation prizes while nine others were recognized for their expertise in some staple crops.

In an addressing, the Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Akwasi Adjei-Boateng, expressed concerns about the unwillingness of many youths to venture into farming to help stem the rural-urban drifts. He alluded to a study conducted recently in the Municipality, which indicated that 57 per cent of the 10,775 people interviewed who were engaged in agriculture were above 40 years, a trend, he said, which poses worrying signals for improved and sustained agricultural production.

The MCE said not withstanding this, the Government was pressing on with the Youth Employment Programme of which nearly 22 million cedis was doled out to the youth undertaking projects in vegetable production, while another 60 million cedis was used to support youth engaged in afforestation projects in four communities.

Giving further illustrations on investment made in the agriculture sector in the Municipality, the Municipal Agriculture Director, Mr G.Y.A. Adukpo, said 96 farmers were advanced 150 million cedis to be used to procure imports to till 150 hectares of maize.