A 37yr old young farmer, Thomas Awuah from Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region has won the 26th Brong Ahafo Regional best farmer.
The event was held at Nsawkaw the district capital of Tain in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Addressing the 26th Regional Farmers day celebration the Brong Ahafo Regional Director for MOFA, Krobia Asante said this year’s event is dubbed “Grow More Food”.
He stated that the theme is meant to encourage farmers, public servants and the general populace to grow more food and rear animals to increase food production for improve livelihoods.
The Ministry’s mission according to the director is to pursue an on-going policy of improved agricultural service provision, encourage farmers and private sector participation and investment.
They are also helping in improving household food security and enhanced natural resources management for sustainable agricultural growth and development.
Mr. Krobia noted that one of their objectives is to ensure food “security and emergency preparedness” through increase production, improved food quality and creations of food buffer stocks for grains and legumes especially.
He continued that the objective is geared towards forestalling the outbreak of pests and diseases in the Brong Ahafo Region and the country as a whole.
The MOFA director said in a bid to move away from over reliance on rain fed agriculture, the government through the help of MOFA is supporting farmers with highly subsidise irrigation equipment and accessories to encourage farmers to enter into dry season farming now that the season is approaching.
Mr. Krobia used the event to appeal to farmers to listen to advice of field officers by using the right agro-chemicals in their quantities to avoid high incidences of pesticide residues in their produce.
“As a matter of urgency I would like to appeal to policy makers to negotiate for adequate number of motor bikes for field extension workers to enable them cover most parts of their operational areas”, he added.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Fire Commander, DO1 Paul Opoku Peprah, also called on the farmers to be careful with fire when they go to the farm because dry season is approaching.
He disclosed that starting from this season there has been a ban on group hunting using fire; he said anyone caught in that act will be made to face the full rigours of the law.
DO1 Opoku Peprah said his outfit has trained over 7000 fire volunteers in the region to help in stopping bush fires and to help the farmers on how to avoid bush fires.
The Regional Best Farmer, Thomas Awuah, rear cows, sheep’s, grass cutter, snails, goats and grows cassava, plantain, moringa and many other food items. For his price he received corn miller, bicycle, one full piece of cloth, weedicides and many other things to help in improving his farm.
He thanked MOFA for the award and said his vision is to get the national best farmer award and he will work towards it.
He encouraged other farmers to work hard so as to be rewarded in whatever they are doing.
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