By Daniel Akwasi Nuako
Sefwi Surano (WN/R), Dec. 09, GNA – Mr Samuel Patrick Afari Acheampong, the Acting Western North Regional Director of Agriculture has appealed to the government to prioritise deploying extension officers to the region to enable the Department to function effectively.
He mentioned inadequate Agric extension officers, logistics, and financial constraints as the major challenge hindering the office from accomplishing its mandate.
Mr Acheampong made the call during the 41st National Farmers Day, held at Surano “A” in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality, where Mr Peter Adowa, 43-year-old farmer, from Sefwi Debeiso in the Bia West District, was crowned the Overall Best Farmer for the Western North Region.
Mr Adowa has 42 acres of plantain, 11 acres of cassava, nine acres of yam, 110 acres of maize, 41 acres of rice, four acres of cocoyam, seven acres of beans, four acres of cabbage, 18 acres of ginger, and 96 acres of cocoa.
He also rears 46 cattle, 42 goats, 31 sheep, 240 turkey, 811 local birds, 87 guinea fowl, 26 grass cutters, 18,000 catfish, and 7,200 tilapias.
Mr Adowa took home a certificate of recognition, a tricycle, five pairs of wellington boots, two knapsack sprayers, four cutlasses, two boxes of weedicides, and other farm inputs.
He thanked the District Agriculture Department and Regional Coordinating Council for the honour done him and encouraged the youth to venture into agriculture as a source of employment.
Mr Petty Wilbert Brentum, the Western North Regional Minister, praised farmers for their hard work, resilience, and contribution towards the local economy.
He said the interventions under the government’s Agriculture Modernisation Agenda, including poultry initiatives, the Agricultural Modernisation Fund, mechanisation services, irrigation development, youth agribusiness projects, and support for value addition and agro-processing were aimed at reducing imports, boost local production and create jobs for the youth.
He lamented how illegal mining had destroyed lands and water bodies, stating that these activities had had adverse effects on farming.
Mr Brentum called on traditional rulers to support the government to curb the illegal mining canker.
Okogyeman Kwaku Gyamprah lll, Paramount Chief of Sefwi Chirano Traditional Area, who chaired the function, commended the government for its agricultural interventions, and urged the youth to engage in agricultural activities.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/Linda Asante Agyei