Bawku (U/E), Feb.17, GNA- Fourteen Farmers have been honoured for their continuous contributions to food security at the 2lst municipal farmers' Day celebrations at Bawku.

Forty-eight-year-old Alhaji Bukari Chiri was adjudged the overall best district farmer whilst 38-year-old Madam Ayishetu Abdulai, became the best female farmer.

For his prize, Alhaji Chiri received a motorbike, radio cassette player, a half-piece wax print, a pair of Wellington boots, cutlass and certificate.

Mad. Abdulai also received a donkey cart and a donkey, half-piece wax print, a pair of Wellington boots, cutlass and certificate as her prize.

Farmers in the other categories received bags of fertilizers, cutlasses, Wellington boots, bicycles, spades and certificates. They were Haruna Agani, millet, Sabanu Seidu, sorghum, Awudu Amoriba, sweet potato, Zenabu Braimah, soybeans, Abangiba Ayaariga, groundnut, and Mustapha Ndebugri, watermelon. The rest are Abarichi Yakubu, Fisherman, Achichia Ayaamba, poultry, Bashiru Apaka, agro-forestry, Ayobi Abanga, cotton and Dahamani Barechi, livestock.

Zurri Organic Vegetables Farmers Association (ZOVFA) and Bessfa Rural Bank were honoured for their assistance to farmers whilst, Koryimah farmers' group was adjudged the best-organised group. The celebration, which was supposed to be held last year December, was postponed due to the region's hosting of the national event at Navrongo.

In an address, the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Abdul-Rahman Gumah, read on his behalf, acknowledged the efforts of farmers to sustain food security in the area in spite of unfavourable weather conditions.

He said with dams been rehabilitated and a wind-pump constructed together with the provision of credit facilities, farmers should take advantage to boost agricultural production to reduce poverty. The Municipal Agriculture Director, Madam Lucy Awadegaho urged workers in the municipality to engage actively in farming practices to supplement their incomes as well as inculcating in the youth the habit of consuming local foods.

She urged farmers to liase with the municipal directorate to acquire more knowledge in farming practices in order to sustain their livelihoods.

Madam Florence Pobi, Municipal Education Director, who chaired the function, called on teachers not to use weeding as a form of punishment to make agriculture unattractive to students, but rather train them to appreciate farming as a career.