Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture on Wednesday said that this year, 74 farmers would be honoured across the country for their hard work towards the socio-economic development of the country.
The award winners are made up of 50 mono-crop farmers, 10 extension officers, three best national farmers with three of their extension attaches, three best fishers and three of their extension attaches, and one over all best extension officer.
Mr Ahwoi made this known at a press briefing on preparations towards the upcoming 2012 National Farmers Day celebration slated for Friday, November 2nd, 2012.
The 28th edition of the celebration would be on the theme, “Grow more food: Strengthening Farmer Based Organisations for Market Place Bargaining Power,” at Abokobi in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
Mr Ahwoi noted that this year the estimated budget for the celebration was GHc3, 826,446.00, of which GHc750,000.00 would be catered for by government, and the remaining to be settled by MOFA.
He announced that so far cash generated from sponsorship amounted to GHc350,000. 00. He noted that so far 76 companies had donated either in cash or in kind towards the celebration, saying government and the farmers would forever be grateful to them for their support.
He said the Ministry was also providing a double cabin pick-up each for the best fisher and best livestock farmers, whiles COCOBOD would also provide a double cabin pick up for the best cocoa farmer.
The Agricultural Development Bank was sponsoring the first prize of a three-bedroom fully furnished house on a litigation-free land to be given to the eventual winner at a place of his or her choice, he added. "The Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund (EDAIF) has also provided the second prize of a tractor and its accessories, whiles the third prize of a double cabin pick-up is sponsored by Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited”, Mr Ahwoi stated.
In a related development, Mama Vits Investment Company Limited has also presented 400 cartons of instant noodles worth GHc6,400.00 towards the celebration. The National Farmers Day was first instituted in 1982 to honour farmers and fishermen for their hard work and since its inception, 1,500 farmers have so far been awarded.
Source: GNA
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