AGRICULTURE

Alhaji Ustaz Mahmud is best farmer for 2018
Sixty-six year old Alhaji Ustaz Mahmud emerged the municipal best farmer for Atebubu-Amantin at the 34th annual district best farmer awards held at Kokofu.

Date Created : 12/17/2018 7:08:55 AM : Story Author : Daniel Oduro-Stewart/Ghanadistricts.com

Alhaji Mahmoud, a middle school leaver with 43 years farming experience cultivates: 70 acres of rice, 40 acres of maize, 10 acres of cowpea, 6 acres of garden eggs, 5 acres each of teak and cashew as well as 4 acres each of pepper and yam.

The devout Muslim who has 33 dependants, also has 65 cattle, 52 sheep, 25 goats, 35 local fowls,6 guinea fowls, 4 ducks and 60 doves to his assets.

He took a certificate, tricycle motorbike, a piece of wax print, a pair of wellington boots, 2 pieces each of machetes and knapsack sprayers. He also received one radio set, one bag of fertilizer. 2 bars of key soap and assorted bottles of agro chemicals.

Earlier in a welcome address, the municipal director of agriculture Mr. George Amanyo said his outfit in collaboration with some non-governmental organization is taking proven technologies in the production of cereals, legumes, root and tubers to the doorstep of farmers and also addressing the challenges of climate change.

“It is therefore not surprising that our municipality emerged the leading producer of maize in the entire country this year” he said.

The Atebubu-Amantin municipal chief executive, Hon. Edward Owusu referred to the theme “Agriculture : moving Ghana beyond aid” and said “government is committed to transforming the agriculture sector through the provision of improved seeds, supply of subsidized fertilizer, provision of dedicated extension services and innovative marketing strategies.

He said in implementing key government flagship agriculture policies; the assembly has provided subsidized seeds and fertilizer to about 1129 farmers in the municipality under the ‘planting for food and jobs programme’.

“Under the ‘youth in agriculture programme’ a total of 598 young men and women have benefitted mainly from from the distribution of maize seeds” he said adding that a total of 47,020 cashew seedlings has also been distributed to a total of 1,339 beneficiaries covering an area of about 1,207 acres under the ‘planting for export and rural development programme’

Twenty other individuals and institutions received various awards in individual crop and animal production categories, best educational institution, best agriculture worker and technology transfer.

They received various prizes including certificates, motorbikes, knapsack sprayers, wax prints, wellington boots, machetes, pick axes and spades among others.