Breman Asikuma (C/R), Dec. 5, GNA - Twenty-three farmers and institutions in Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District, received awards at the district farmers' day celebration at Breman Asikuma in the Central Region= on Friday. Madam Gladys Zidah from Breman Ahwiam, the overall District Best Farmer, was given a refrigerator, one Knapsack sprayer, a full piece Wax print, two pairs of Wellington boots, six cutlasses and a certificate as her prize. The other award winners, including best maize, cassava, plantain, citrus and oil palm farmers and staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture Extension Officers also received televisions sets, wellington=

boots, Ghetto Blaster, cutlasses, insecticides and certificates.

Mrs Georgina Nkrumah Aboah, District Chief Executive commended the farmers for their selfless contribution to the development of Ghana. She said in absence of a sophisticated industrial economy, Ghana cou= ld only survive economically through the transformation of its agriculture i= nto a dynamic and productive system. Mrs Aboah said that there was the need to remove bottlenecks in the=

agriculture sector, adding that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture woul= d establish mechanization centres in the country to enhance agriculture production. She said many farmers were aged and urged the youth to go into farmi= ng to sustain food production. Mrs Aboah said government would expedite action on policies to modernize agriculture to encourage the youth to undertake farming. 5 Dec. 09