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| 2011 Best Farmer (Ignatius Agbo) |
He takes home a fully furnished three-bedroom house to be built at a location of his choice plus a generator, laptop and a fully loaded modem and a trip to India.
Ignatius Abgo beat 66 other contestant with a farm size of four hundred and eighty (480) acres with 200 acres currently under cultivation.
His scale of operation includes Cocoa 160 acres, Oil Palm 12 acres, Citrus 15 acres, Plantain 15 acres, cow pea 2 acres, sweet potatoes 1acre Cassava 5 acres, Coconut 2 acre, vegetables together with his livestock occupying about 50 acres.
The one time Assembly man currently employs 35 permanent workers and an additional 62 casual workers on his five farmers scatted in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality.
He was the Regional Best Farmer for the Central Region in 2002 and 2005 respectively.
Receiving his award, Ignatius Abgo thanked former President Jerry Rawlings for instituting the National Best Farmer Award and also former President J.A Kufuor and President J.E.A Mills for ensuring the day is observed.
He however regretted of the non- availability of motorable roads to transport their crops which has increased post harvest loses over the years.
Ignatius Abgo called on government to walk the talk and provide farmers with the needed resources for accelerated growth.
The second national best farmer is 39-year-old Assemblyman, Daniel Ankoma Mends from the Assin South District of the Central region. He took home a tractor with implements and an insurance cover for a year.
44-year-old Philip Kwaku Agyemang from the Brong Aharfo region came third and was rewarded with a double cabin pick-up truck and a year's insurance cover.
The National Best Fisherman went to 39-year-old Agya Kwesi and National Best Livestock farmer went to 70-year-old Joseph Boney.
The annual event, held at Agona Nsaba in the Central Region, is to salute the tireless efforts and sacrifices of Ghanaian farmers who even in the face of the challenges continue to feed the nation.
This year’s celebration which is under the theme: “Grow more food; research for sustainable Agricultural development” is to stress the importance of Science and Technology in Agriculture.
The Vice President John Dramani Mahama in his speech commended farmers for their invaluable role in assuaging the impact of the global food crisis on the country.
He said an investment in Agriculture which now contributes about 30% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the sure way to eradicating poverty.
Vice President Mahama reiterated the government's commitment to make Agriculture a key component in the economy in spite of the oil discovery.
He also urged the farmers to venture into mechanized farming and move away from the indigenous one which largely depends on the vagaries of the weather.
In all, sixty-six distinguished farmers and fishermen in the country received national honours and took home various prizes including bicycles, fridges, Wellington Boots, sewing machines, agro products among other at the colourful ceremony at the Agona Nsaba Presbyterian School Park.
The ceremony was attended by government delegation including, Agric Minister Kwesi Awhoi, Central Regional Minister, Ama Benyiwa Doe and other dignities.
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