Ignitious Agbo National best farmer receiving his awards from the vice president John Mahama
A 56-year-old man, Ignatius Agbo, although excited about his prize of a three-bedroom house after coming out as the best farmer for 2011, has bemoaned the bad state of roads in farming areas.
The 2002 and 2005 Central Regional best farmer charged the government to arrest the situation because it was increasing post-harvest losses to the detriment of farmers.
He also charged government to make good its promises to provide resources to enhance agricultural production so that the country could witness economic growth.
Ignatius Agbo has his farms in the Upper Denkyira East District in the Central Region. Besides the house which would be built at a location of his choice, he was given a generator, laptop and a fully-loaded modem and a trip to India.
The Central Region farmer beat 66 other farmers with his 480, 200-acre farm made up of cocoa, oil palm, citrus, plantain, cowpea, sweet potatoes, cassava, coconut, vegetables and livestock.
He expressed gratitude to former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor, and President John Evans Atta Mills for their roles in sustaining the event.
Yesterday’s Farmers’ Day activities were held at Agona-Nsaba in the Central Region where Vice President John Mahama charged the youth to discard the impression they had about farming. He said the days of cutlass and hoe farming were over because, according to him, the occupation had become a business.
The best farmer was followed by a 39-year-old assemblyman, Daniel Ankoma Mends from the Assin South District of the Central Region who took home a tractor with implements and an insurance cover for a year.
Forty-four-year-old Philip Kwaku Agyemang from the Brong Ahafo region was third, taking home a double cabin pick-up truck and a year’s insurance cover.
In the fishing category, a 39-year-old Agya Kwesi was adjudged the best, with 70-year-old Joseph Biney leading the livestock class.
This year’s celebration was on the theme, ‘Grow More Food; Research For Sustainable Agricultural Development.’
This is the 27th annual Farmers’ Day event where about 66 farmers from across the country were rewarded.
Other distinguished farmers took home various prizes including bicycles, fridges, Wellington Boots and sewing machines.
Top government officials in attendance included Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, and Ama Benyiwa Doe, Central Regional Minister.
From Sarah Owusu-Darlington, Agona Nsaba