Corn Miller Wins Best Farmer in Cape Coast Metro

A 52-year old Corn miller from Dahia has been crowned the overall best farmer in the Cape Coast Metropolis at the 33rd National Farmers Day held at Nyinasin on Friday.

He received a spraying machine, two cutlasses, a pair of Wellington boots, refrigerator, a motorcycle, a radio player, a piece of cloth, quantities of agro-chemicals and a certificate as prizes.

In all, 11 farmers were honoured and received various items as their prizes.

The day is marked annually to recognize and appreciate the substantial contribution of farmers and agricultural production to the socio-economic development of the country.

Speaking at the function, Mr Ernest Arthur, Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), said the Government by its policy interventions, had not only placed premium on agricultural production, but moved further to make it a business venture to bring smiles onto the faces of farmers.

The MCE explained that the Government’s medium term priority was to enhance agriculture for rural development as part of a broader Government objective to reduce poverty and creative sustainable wealth for all.

He mentioned major government interventions such as planting for food and jobs, planting for food and investments, one district, one exportable product, one district, one warehouse, one district, one agro-based factory and one district, one dam as significant initiatives to improve the living conditions of the people

Mr Arthur called on farmers to develop a positive attitude towards farming and perceive it not only as a source of livelihood but an avenue to amass wealth.

He commended farmers for their immense contribution to the economy of the nation and noted that in spite of the numerous problems they faced, they had kept faith by defying all odds to produce food to feed the nation and pledged that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture would continue to support them.

Mr William Fordjour, Metro Director of Agriculture, congratulated the farmers and called for Public Private Partnership to support agricultural productivity.

“In view of this, government… in partnership with the private sector is implementing many opportunities including road and irrigation infrastructure to reduce transactional cost and increase efficiency in operations,” he said.

Mr Arthur further appealed to the traditional leaders and land owners to make litigation free lands to stimulate the national quest to revolutionise the agricultural sector.

To this end, he commended farmers and award winners for their efforts and steadfastness in driving agriculture forward to sustain national food security.

The event had on display of a number of food stuff ranging from maize, millet, rice, soya beans groundnuts, tomatoes, onions, poultry and other ruminants and was graced by District Chief Executives, Heads of Department, opinion leaders, students and security services.

Source: GNA