Awutu Bawjiase (C/R), Dec. 5, GNA - A total of 143 farmers and Fishermen were on Friday awarded for their hard work in at the District Farmers Day celebration at Awutu Bawjiase in the Central Region.

Mr Ebenezer Ebo Eyison, 47, from Assin Akonfudi, who was adjudged the Best regional farmer, was given a corn mill, agro-chemicals, a full piece wax print, 10 cutlasses and 15 aluminium roofing sheets, a cassette tape recorder and a suit case.

Mr Mokobi Thompson, from Elmina, who was adjudged the regional best fisherman, received fishing net, deep freezer, a suit case, one full piece wax print and a bicycle.

Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe, the Regional Minister, said the government was committed to subsidizing the price of fertilizer to enable farmers to increase production.

She said government would ensure that the number of extension office= s was increased to teach farmers modern agriculture techniques to boost foo= d production. Mrs Benyiwa-Doe said the Ministry of Food and Agriculture had planne= d to provide irrigation facilities in the farming areas. She appealed to the Chiefs and elders in the region to release land to the youth at reasonable cost to encourage them to go into farming.