By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, Nov. 27, GNA – Hajia Habiba Yusifu, the Eastern Regional Director of Food and Agriculture, has encouraged farmers to embrace knowledge on climate change adaptation in agriculture to enhance food security.
She said the Department of Food and Agriculture had commenced building farmers’ capacity on technological adaptation practices to curb the increase in post-harvest losses under the unfavourable weather conditions.
The Regional Director made the statement at the Regional Farmers’ Day Awards presentation in Koforidua which was jointly organised by the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, and the Regional Department of Food and Agriculture with support from the Newmont Ghana, Chemico Limited, and GreenFert.
She noted that the adaptation practices included innovative irrigation techniques, mobile devices and software.
At the event, ten dedicated farmers, including an Agriculture Extension Agent (AEA), were honored with certificates, agricultural inputs, and other items.
The Overall Best Regional Farmer was awarded to Dr. Samuel Hodor Mensah, who is also an optometrist by profession.
Dr Mensah from Mepom in the West Akim Municipality is renowned for his diligence in producing coconut, tubers, vegetables, agro-products, and animal husbandry.
He also provides the surrounding communities with boreholes, computers for Basic Schools, among others.
He was presented with Royal tricycle, a mist blower, blender, a piece of cloth, 50 inches television, refrigerator, an electric kettle, bags of fertilizer, cartons of liquid fertilizer, cutlasses, wellington boot, wheelbarrow, Knapsack sprayer, and a solar lamp.
Dr Mensah thanked the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and its partners for recognizing his hard work for the prestigious award.
He said the Ministry’s tireless effort in promoting agriculture was invaluable.
Mr. Yaw Adu, Chief Director at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, noted that farmers were great businesspeople and urged them to aspire for higher awards, particularly, global awards.
“Without your contribution to the nation, we cannot get the strength to work at our various institutions, we appreciate your hard work,” he said.
The 40th National Farmers’ Day celebration was held in the Greater Accra Region and three persons from the Eastern Region grabbed the National Best Farmer second runner-up, National Best Female Farmer, and the National Best Coffee Farmer.
GNA