Seventeen farmers and fishermen in the Yendi Municipality, have been honoured at the 30th National Farmers’ Day celebration at Malzeri, in the Yendi Municipality.
The over-all best farmer went to Kangba Jagri of Kuni, who he received motorized corn shelter, wallingon boots, cutlasses, sacks, watering cans and a certificate.
The best woman farmer award went to Madam Asana Yakubu of Balogu, and she received a bicycle, wallinton boots, cutlasses, sacks, and a certificate.
The best soya bean farmer went to Madam Ayi Hamidu of Sunson, she received a bicycle, sacks, Wallington boots, cutlasses and a certificate.
The best small ruminant farmer went to Imoro Tahidu of Gundogu, he received a bicycle, cutlasses, Wallington boots and a certificate.
The best fisher went to Issahaku Napari of Gnani Yindan, he received watering can, sacks, Wallington boots, cutlasses and a certificate,
The best sheanut pick went to Madam Afushetu Dawuda of Yendi, She received a bicycle, two per of gloves, wax print, Wallington boots and a certificate.
In an address, the Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Issah Zakaria reminded Ghanaians that, the nation that refuses to eat what it grows, will never be food secured.
Mr. Zakaria said this is the reason why the government is working around the clock to ensure favourable environment for high productivity and realistic producer prices for farmers.
He mentioned the Eastern Corridor Road, which when completed, will facilitate easy movement of goods and services to and from the Municipality.
Mr. Zakaria urged the youth, women and other farmers to take advantage of the facilities, make full use of them to earn decent living.
He announced that under the on-going rural electrification project in the Municipality, the rural communities will be connected to the national electricity grid, in order to make the communities more attractive for the youth to remain and engage in Agricultural business.
He urged the people to keep their homes and surroundings clean, to avoid contracting cholera, malaria and other communicable diseases
The Yendi Municipal Director of Agriculture, Mr Ambrews Ansaayiri said the Department of Agriculture, targeted the production of 12,409.4 metric tons of maize, 12,930.6 metric tons of rice, 1,745.6 metric tons of millet, 1,600.6 metric tons of sorghum, 3,555.2 metric tons of cowpea, 8,590.3 metric tons of groundnut among others, as agriculture commodities by farmers for 2014.
Mr. Ansaayiri said 1,013 farmers were trained on post – harvest management small ruminant production, guinea fowl production, plant nursery establishment and management, including others.
He said this year’s theme for the celebration: “EAT WHAT YOU GROW,” was most appropriate and timely, because before a nation’s Agriculture can develop to its fullest, the citizens must periodically patronize whatever was produced locally.