By: Emmanuel Akayeti
Talensi District this year, observed the 38th Farmers Day celebration at Tongo-Beo in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region, under the theme “Accelerating Agricultural Development through Value Addition”.
In all, 17 farmers were awarded.
A 60-year-old John Atiah from Balungu was adjudged the Overall Best Farmer. He took home 1 Apsonic Motor King donated by Cardinal Mining by Mandini Ltd, 1 Pair of Wellington Boots, 2 Knapsack Sprayers, 1 cutlass, 1 bag of organic fertilizer, and a certificate.
The same prize went to the first Runner Up, Nabil D. James, a 53-year-old from Gbandatok but with the Motor King, being donated by Earl International Group (Ghana) Gold Ltd. Ms. Janet Kperdme from Yamsok took the second Runner Up with a Haojin Motor Cycle, 1 Pair of Wellington Boots, 1 bag of organic fertilizer, and a Certificate.
The Best Agriculture Worker adjudged was Mustapha K Adam from Tongo. He was given a 32” color Television, 1 Pair of Wellington boots, 1 Cutlass, 2 Knapsack Sprayers, 1 half piece of cloth, and a Certificate. The Best Shea Picker went to Asibga Abagna from Guborigu. For his prize; a Bicycle, half a piece of Wax prints, Chocolate drinks Hand sanitizers, Torchlight, Batteries, and a Certificate.
The remaining 11 Best Farmers; Susana Mahama from Balungu, Soya Bean, Sheabizee Joseph, Yameriga Poultry, Nelson Nwomba, Datoku Cowpea, Micheal Tampulnab, Yindure, Sorghum, Nkebig Boare Kpale, integrated farmer Christiana Bagnaaab Namoligo, Young Innovative farmer, Busong Kahotor Yagsore best Agroforestry.
The rest are; Kwasi Afro Pwalugu, best fisher, Atiah Anafo Winkogo rice, Jonathan Kolog Baare maize farmer, Basirudeen Yakubu Awaradone livestock, and Noah Priscila Kulpelga Crops Farmer. They each took home consolation prizes.
In his address, the Talensi District Director of Agriculture Sulemana Matthew commended the gallant farmers for their efforts in trying to ensure food security by contributing to the achievements of Sustainable Development Goal 2, which is “End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable Agriculture.
The Talensi District Chief Executive Thomas Pearson Duanab Wuni indicated that the Government of policies of Planting for Food and Jobs and Planting for Export and Rural Development will be defeated if farmers are unable to add value to the crops they produce since they cannot compete with the similar crop produce in the local and international markets.
He stated that the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), through the District Entrepreneurial Development Agency (DEDA), has adequate training modules in the District that the farmers can advantage of, to improve Agriculture production, through branding, packaging, advertising, and host of others that add value to products and services.
