Nineteen farmers honoured in Amansie West district

Mpatuam (Ash), Dec 5, GNA - Nineteen farmers in the Amansie West district of Ashanti were last Friday honoured for their meritorious work in agriculture at this year's National Farmers' Day celebration at Mpatuam.

Ten other farmers received consolation prizes, which included Wellington boots, cutlasses and bars of soap. The overall best district farmer went to Mr Charles Adjei, a 40-year-old farmer of Manso-Mpranease and he received a spraying machine, a full piece of wax print, four cutlasses, a pair of Wellington boots and a certificate of honour.

Mr Stephen Nkrumah, 52, of Manso-Nkwanta emerged the best district cocoa farmer while mr Ben Kwakye-Adeefe, the District Chief Executive emerged the best aquaculture farmer and received two pairs of Wellington boots, a full piece of wax print, four cutlasses and a certificate. Speaking at the function, Mr Kwakye-Adeefe regretted that whilst there was land to be cultivated, the youth continue to drift from the rural areas to the cities and urban centres for non-existent jobs. This situation, he said, had left the aged to farm and feed the ever-growing population, a situation which he described as worrying and therefore called on parents to educate their children to take to farming since it was a profitable venture.

Mr. Kwakye-Adeefe commended the government for the mass spraying exercise it embarked upon since 2001 and said it had yielded very good results.

Mr. Daniel Tana, the District Director of Food and Agriculture, was full of praise for farmers in the district, saying that the district produced two national award winners in citrus and agro-forestry, adding, that showed that some farmers seek advice from extension officers. Mr Edwin Allotey, Director of Resolute Amansie Limited, presented five bicycles and two sewing machines to seven hard working farmers in its areas of operation.