Emmanuel Duah adjudged best farmer in Eastern Region

A forty five year old farmer from Akim Swedro, Emmanuel Duah was adjudged the best farmer in the Eastern Region at the 31st Farmers Day celebration at Aburi.

For his efforts, he was presented with a tricycle, a packet of roofing sheets, a pair of wellington boots, cutlasses and some agro chemicals.

In all, 23 farmers from the region were presented with awards for their efforts in producing various crops while the host district, Akuapem South District also presented awards to 19 best farmers in the district.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako Sekyere, the Eastern Regional Minister, called on the private sector to invest in agriculture to help make the country self sufficient in food production.

He said specific areas with opportunities for consideration are in the provision of seeds, animal feed and feed ingredients, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer.

Other areas, he said, include the processing of vegetables, fruits, poultry products, establishment of hatcheries for day old chicks, supply and installation of cold chain system, packaging, agricultural factory building technology and establishment of tractor and irrigation hiring services.

He said currently, to help improve agricultural yields in the region, 107.3 hectars of improved varieties of cassava are being multiplied in 13 districts in the region and when they matured, they would be distributed to 10,000 farmers in the region to help increase cassava production in Eastern Region.

He said the region could also boast of an improved cassava processing centre in Korkorm which now serves as the training ground for cassava processors from other regions in the country.

The Regional Minister said similar projects are being organized for maize, cocoyam, sweet potatoes, goats and sheep in the region.