Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly (AEMA) joined others to hold its 4th of the 38th National Farmers’ Day in the Greater Accra Region to also celebrate its farmers in their area.
Hajia Selma Mohammed Adams Sani-Kuta, Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly Chief Executive, who led her people to celebrate the achievements of their gallant farmers in the Municipality, assured the farmers of Assembly’s support always.
She disclosed that the Municipal Agriculture Department has been organising training programmes on new technologies on how to make use of small spaces within the communities for farming activities like mushroom farming and processing, rabbit production and fish farming which the Department intends to introduce in 2023 farmers’ Day.
In her solidarity message to the farmers, Hajia Selma Sani-Kuta mentioned some activities the Agriculture Department of the Assembly undertook to assist farmers; these include conduction of home and farm visit to share farming technology with farmers; provided a farmer group with mushroom; compost bags and supervised the production of mushrooms amongst many others.
This move was in the quest to taking advantage to help address food security challenges through the ongoing Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) campaign.
Hajia Selma Sani-Kuta entreated the farmers not to allow their limitations in farming to discourage them prior to the production of food, but should be strengthened by the theme for the 38th Farmers’ Day Celebration, which was “Accelerating Agriculture Development Through Value Addition”.
She appealed to the farmers in the Municipality to rather convert their weaknesses or limitations into strength by using the available technology at their disposal to change the raw food produce into finished products.
She also urged all those who want to engage in small scale farming, especially women to contact the Agriculture Department of the Assembly for free advice and guidance.
Head of the Agriculture Department for the Assembly, Charles Asem-Bansah indicated his welcome address that they see to it that the Assembly promote extension services to farmers; assist in development of animal health services infrastructure and facilitate and encourage immunization of livestock and animal deceases amongst others.
He was quick to added that this year was difficult for them, however, the Assembly led by Hajia Selma Sani-Kuta his Department was supported to organise the occasion.
According to Mr. Asem-Bansah, they also had support from some benevolent organisations who made their fourth edition farmers day celebration successful.
This year’s Farmers’ Day Celebration the Municipal Assembly selected best 3 farmers for the awards.
Moro Tongo Awuni from Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, was awarded this year’s Ayawaso East Municipal’s Overall Best Farmer, 2022. Mr. Tongo Awuni, 49, has cultivated about 10 acres of maize, 5 acres of watermelon intercepted with cowpeas, groundnut and vegetables.
He is an Assemblyman of 37 Military Hospital Electoral Area, and a Ward Assistant at the Hospital has been farming in the Military Barracks for 5 years; he was noted for his envious of fallow lands which he would not hesitate to turn into a farm, despite the size of a space lying idle.
He raises livestock in addition; he has about 25 turkeys, 50 cockerel, 100 layers, 2 ostriches, 3 goats, 2 sheep and 2 cows respectively, and this ean him the overall best farmer. The Hon. Assembly member, a Technical Institute graduate employed about 4 persons.
He was awarded with a chest freezer, 14 inches flat screen television set, 2 crocodile machetes, a pair of Wellington boots, 4 bags of compound fertilizer, assorted drinks, a knap sack sprayer and a Certificate.
The Municipal Best Livestock Farmer went to Baba Awudu alias Babs, an HND holder in Procurement and Supply Science. The 48 year old Babs also took home similar items. He received a chest freezer, 2 crocodile machetes, 2 pair of Wellington boots, assorted drinks and a Certificate.
A-21 year old nursing mother, Bless Fenuku has been awarded the Best Crops Farmer of the year, 2022.
Ms. Fenuku who resides at the 37 Military Barrack, completed her Senior High School Education in 2020, and she has been cultivating crops such as okra, yam, maize, cassava, plantain, and cocpyam respectively on half acre land for close to two (2) years to supplement her family income.
In recognition of her contribution to agriculture as a young woman in the area, the Municipal Department of Agriculture deemed it necessary to honour her with the award 2022 to encourage her to work harder.
Ms. Fenuku also received a chest freezer, 2 crocodile machetes, a pair of Wellington boots, 3 bags of compound fertilizer, assorted drinks, a knap sack sprayer and a Certificate.
The Municipal Best Livestock Farmer went to Baba Awudu alias Babs, an HND holder in Procurement and Supply Science. The 48 year old Babs also took home similar items. He received a chest freezer, 2 crocodile machetes, 2 pair of Wellington boots, assorted drinks and a Certificate.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
