ADB to give 2018 National Best Farmer 480,000 cash prize

The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) has presented a 480,000-cedi sponsorship package to the Ministry of of Food and Agriculture as prize package for the 2018 National Best Farmer.

ADB has been the lead sponsor for the National Farmers Day celebration for the past 17 years. Aside being the lead sponsor, the Bank also sponsors the Welcome Cocktail and the National Farmers Forum..

Presenting a dummy cheque to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Accra, the Managing Director of the Bank, Dr. John Kofi Mensah said ADB remains the most committed bank towards the growth of the agricultural sector in Ghana.

He said the presentation demonstrates the bank’s commitment and readiness to fulfill its social obligation to the 2018 national best farmer.

“We have been performing this key Corporate Social Responsibility since 2001 as a way of encouraging the youth into farming and making the farming profession more attractive,” he said.

Dr. Mensah said the bank has for 15 years been presenting a three-bedroom furnished house to the National Best Farmer.

However, he noted that to inject innovation and also afford the Best Farmer the opportunity to expand his or her business, the Bank in consultation with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture decided last year to give the winner cash prize to aide in the expansion of his business.

“Last year, we presented the overall Best Farmer with a cash prize to enable him expand his business and we are convinced it really went a long way in helping Mr. Agyemang to expand his business,” he said.

Dr. Mensah explained the National Farmers Forum provides the award winners the opportunity to engage stakeholders and policymakers from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and financiers to deliberate on key issues related to the sector.

“The Forum affords our farmers and fishers the opportunity to discuss key issues with policymakers and come out with recommendations needed for the growth of the sector,” he said.

Receiving the donation, the Minister of State in Charge of Food & Agriculture, Dr. Gyiele Nurah commended ADB for the kind gesture of sponsoring the Farmers Day with 100,000 dollars for the past 17 years.

“ADB has been the title sponsor for the past 17 years and we wish to commend them for keeping faith with the National Farmers’ Day Celebration,” he said.