Mr Issa Ouedrago, a 52 year- old fish, crop and livestock farmer on Friday emerged the overall best farmer among 27 award winners from the Western Region at the farmers� day celebration at Inchaban in the Shama District.
Mr Ouedrago is into agriculture, aqua-culture, agro processing and eco-tourism at Apowa near Takoradi.
He has established an Alternative Livelihood Centre and Information Technology Centre to train the youth in agriculture.
All the award winning farmers including a physically challenged person, Mr John Kojo Baidoo from Wassa Amenfi West were presented with various items including sewing machines, fertiliser, cement, wellington boots, out board motors, spraying machines, deep freezers, pumping machines, fishing gear and machetes.
Cassava, plantain, fresh/dried fish, vegetables, tubers, legumes, farm equipment, poultry and livestock were exhibited at the day.
Mr Ebenezer K. T. Addo, Regional Minister asked people involved in the distribution of fertiliser to farmers to exhibit transparency and sincerity and warned against smuggling of the product.
He called on farmers to collaborate with extension officers of the Department of Agriculture for expert advice on the use of best practices in modern agriculture.
Mr Victor Okoe Nai, Regional Director of Agriculture said plans are advanced to cultivate about 50 hectares of land for coconut farmers at Axim in addition to farm hands who would work for them.
He said the irrigation project in the area would be revamped to assist farmers irrigate their farms all- year- round.
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