The Eastern Regional Farmers’ Day celebration has been held at the Jubilee Park in Koforidua on Wednesday.
In all, eight farmers were awarded in categories of Overall Best Farmer, Best Crop Farmer, Best Fisheries Farmer, among others.
They were awarded with tricycles, wheel barrows, agro chemicals and other items.
Mr Daniel Gbedawo who emerged the Overall Best Farmer received a tricycle, flat screen television, wheelbarrow, agro chemicals among other items.
Ms Ernestina Osei-Tutu also emerged the Best Female Farmer. She also received a tricycle and similar items.
Speaking at the celebration, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Seth Acheampong, said agriculture development remained a topmost priority of the government, adding it was evident in the roll out and subsequent implementation of several flagship programmes geared towards increasing the productivity of crops and livestock.
“Notable among these programmes are the Planting for Food and Jobs, Rearing for Food and Jobs and the Planting for Export and Rural Development,” he said.
He added that the Eastern Region had over the years demonstrated total commitment in the implementation of these programmes, indicating that several checks have indicated the immense contribution of farmers in the region.
He said it was important to consider value addition and ban the high post-harvest losses and inadequate access to markets, adding that the Eastern Region Commodity Satellite Market was introduced in 2019.
He revealed since the inception of the commodity markets, 13,685 farmers and small scale processors have been linked to the market and a total value of GH¢19, 325, 400 transactions has been done.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Agriculture Director, Mr Henry Crentsil, said the region had taken the lead in the value addition agenda through the eastern satellite commodity market and called on all stakeholders in the agric sector to support it.
He encouraged all the municipal and district assembly to also get involved in the satellite market to strengthen the initiative and get all on board for the benefit of the region.
The Krontihene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Baffour Nyantakyi Tutu Boateng, said the government should focus on more of the value addition, adding that the introduction of the Eastern Regional Satellite Commodity Market was a step in the right direction to improve agriculture in the country.
He added that, the country would be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal two on Zero Hunger in the country.
FROM AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN, KOFORIDUA
