By Stephen Asante
Accra, Nov. 09, GNA – Nana Owusu Achiaw, a farmer based in the Sekyere-Central District of the Ashanti Region, specialising in mixed cropping, has been named the 2024 National Best Farmer.
He has more than four decades of farming experience, with more than 150 employees working on his large tract of land dedicated to animal husbandry, vegetable, cereal and staple crop farming, plantation, agro-forestry and processing.
Nana Achiaw received GHS1 million as his prize, a category sponsored by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
The Best Farmer was recognised for his outstanding adherence to climate-smart agricultural and innovative practices.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Special Guest of Honour, presented the Best Farmer with his award, as he decorated him with the Ghana flag.
The programme was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) on the theme: “Building Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food and Security”.
The other award winners are Nassam Fuseini, National Best Farmer First Runner-up, who was presented with a tractor, trailer, and sprayer and Ransford Atiemo, National Best Farmer Second Runner-up, who received a tractor with implements.
Apostle Noah Obeng, the National Best Livestock Farmer, Stephen Addo, National Best Physically-Challenged Farmer, and Ernestina Osei-Tutu, National Best Female Farmer, each received GHS200, 000 as their prizes.
Mensah Weibukanga emerged as the Overall National Best Fisher, taking home a double cabin pick-up truck, while Ebenezer Dzikunu, National Best Fish farmer, Victoria Atsa, National Best Fish Processor, and Christopher Ackom National Best Marine Fisher, were also awarded for their efforts.
Nana Joojo Solomon emerged as the National Best Most Outstanding Personality for Sustainable Development of Artisanal Fishing, and received a double cabin truck, with Kwame Damoah, National Best Most Outstanding Fisheries Enforcement Officer, also taking home a double cabin kia truck.
Kwame Alex, the National Best Cocoa Farmer, Solomon Tohola, National Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, Yaa Ajele, National Best Most Enterprising Cocoa Farmer, Victor Benefo, National Best Coffee Farmer, and Winifred Batabana, National Best Sheanut Picker, were also decorated for their outstanding farming practices.
President Nana Akufo-Addo saluted the outstanding farmers, saying they were the “unsung champions of our land.”
“To all of you, I say well done. Ayekoo!”
He described the 40th National Farmers’ Day Awards as appropriate given the invaluable contributions of farmers to ensuring food security in the country.
The President said the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for agriculture had increased from 2.7 per cent in 2017 to an average growth rate of 5.7 per cent over the last six years.
The significant increase, he said, was attributable to the implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PfJ) programme, as well as the mechanisation and irrigation policies rolled out by the Government.
Under the PfJ programme, more than 4, 000 irrigation facilities had been developed, new seed varieties introduced and soil health improved for increased crop yield, he noted.
He also cited the exposure of farmers to integrated pest management and best agronomic practices.
He affirmed the Government’s resolve to support the Ghanaian farmer and fisher to succeed, while creating wealth and sustainable livelihood along the agricultural value chain.
Dr Bryan Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, lauded the farmers for their hard work.
Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, said the Government had made notable strides in aquaculture, citing the introduction of the National Aquaculture Programme.
“This initiative promotes technology and training for young graduates annually,” she stated.
The Farmer’s Day is traditionally celebrated on the first Friday of December, which is a statutory holiday.
However, in the year of a general election, it is marked in November.
GNA