Otaakrom, (Ash), Dec. 2, GNA – Thirty-five (35) year old Eric Tuffuor, a livestock farmer at Bobra in the Offinso North District, was on Friday adjudged the Ashanti Regional Best Farmer.

For his prize, he received a corn-mill, 10 cutlasses, agro chemicals, bags of organic fertilizers, a bicycle, a radio, a spraying machine and wax print.

Twenty (20) others farmers were also honoured for their hard work and contribution to food security at the Regional farmers’ day celebration held at Otaakrom in the Atwima-Mponua District.

They were presented with cutlasses, Wellington boots, wax print, spraying machines, corn mills, agro chemicals, bicycles, fertilizers and radio cassette recorders.

They included Mr Isaac Prince Boateng, from Afrancho in the Offinso North District, best regional tomatoes farmer, Madam Mercy Agyei of Adeito in the Bosome Freho district, best vegetables farmer, Mrs Florence Donkor, from Tepa in the Ahafo Ano North, best cocoyam farmer.

Madam Comfort Hammond, of Agogo, Asante Akim North district, emerged the best plantain farmer, with that of maize going to Mr Charles Amaniampong, from Ebuom in the Ejura Sekyedumase district, while Mr Joseph Badu Frimpong of Benkumhene in the Obuasi Municipal, won the cocoa farmer award with Mr Dauda Bonsah, from Kansakrom in Atwima-Mponua district, taking the prize for rice farming and that of cassava went to Madam Afia Boaduwaah, from Ahodwo in the Kwabre district

Dr Kwaku Agyeman Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, said the Government would continue make funds available to support agricultural research for high yielding and disease resistance crops to mitigate the effect of climate change on agriculture.

He stressed the need to recognize the contribution of agricultural research institutions to the sector.