Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - National Award-Winning Farmers for this year were on Monday given a special treat when they toured the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) at Tema and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHAPOHA).

The more than 70 farmers in their Farmers' Day T-Shirts visited the processing plant at the CPC and sent on one-hour cruise on the sea. Officials at CPC and the Ports answered questions from the Farmers, most of whom were eager to familiarize and armed themselves with a lot of information before going back to their Regions.

Prior to the tour, they met the Minister of Agriculture, Major Courage Quashigah (rtd) at the Ministry in Accra, where they were briefed on the Government's programme towards the forthcoming Farmers' Day which would take place on Friday, November 5.

This year's farmer's day, which is the 20th in the series since its inception, is being held earlier because of the upcoming Election 2004 on December 7. First Friday in December every year has been set for Farmers' Day.

Major Quashigah told the Farmers that the package being given them should not be considered as a mere "window dressing" to entice them to stay as farmers, but they should rather see it as something that they well deserved.

He announced that the Best National Farmer would be given a three-bedroom house.

He said this year a special competition was introduced for all the 19 past national best farmers for one to emerge as the champion of champions.

Major Quashigah said programmes were in place to increase the awards and also make the package more attractive for Farmers saying: "As a result we are currently conducting a trial to find out the brain behind the celebration of the Farmers' Day and reward him or her. Soon after the Minister's address three companies - British America Tobacco Company, presented a cheque of 20 million cedis; Global Haulage, a Transport Company and the Federated Commodities Limited, a Cocoa buying company, also donated 500 Wellington boots worth 40 million cedis towards the day.

High Crop Limited, a local company, also presented 100 bags of fertilizers worth four million cedis.