Sixty-nine year old widow is best farmer for LEKMA

Nungua, Dec. 4, GNA - Madam Diana Nunoo, a 69-year-old widow, was on Friday adjudged the 2010 Overall Best Farmer for the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assemble (LEKMA), at the Assembly's National Farmers' Day celebration, at Nungua.

For her prize, Madam Nunoo, who has 14 years experience in farming, took home a motor bike, a wall clock, five cutlasses, two rain coats, four bags of fertilizer, insecticides, weedicides, wax print, Wellington boots, and a certificate. Twenty-four other gallant farmers, who also excelled in their various fields, also received prizes.

Mr Daniel Amartey Mensah, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), for Ledzokuku-Krowor, who presented the prize to the overall best farmer, observed that the theme for this year's celebration reflects government's commitment to addressing the issues of food availability, access to food, and nutritional problems. Mr Mensah pointed out that farmers' efforts to grow more food and achieve food security would not yield maximum results without the active involvement of the Youth. He said to encourage the Youth, government has taken measures to persuade them to go into agriculture through the Youth in Agriculture Development Programme, under the National Youth Employment Programme. The LEKMA MCE congratulated the awardees for their outstanding performances in their various chosen fields of endeavour, and hoped the awards would propel them to achieve greater heights in future. The Members of Parliament (MPS) for Ledzokuku and Krowor respectively, Nii Nortey Dua and Dr Nii Quaye Kumah, both Deputy Ministers, who graced the occasion, urged farmers to step up production in the years ahead, to ensure food security.

Mr Daniel Boadu, Municipal Director of Agriculture, said plans were underway to construct a landing beach for the fisher folks in the Municipality to step up production.