Akim Oda (E/R), Nov. 8, GNA - As part of the 24th National Farmers' Day celebration, the Birim Central Municipal Assembly, on Friday honoured 17 farmers engaged in different categories of agricultural activities.

The Day was instituted in 1984 and in 1985 the first best farmer received his award including a pair of Wellington boots and cutlass. The theme for this year's celebration was "Globalisation; its effects on agricultural production in Ghana". Receiving his award at Aboabo near Akim Oda, Mr. Richmond Kofi Amponsah, a 37-year-old student of the Pentecost University, who was declared the Municipal Best Farmer, took away a full piece of wax print, a cutlass, a pair of Wellington boots, a knapsack sprayer, an ice chest, a radio cassette player, a bicycle and a certificate. Interacting with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), shortly after receiving the award, the recipient stated that he has cultivated 11 hectares of maize, six hectares of citrus, five hectares of cocoa, in addition to two fishponds measuring 20 by 20 metre-square, 1500 snail and 91 pigs, among others.

Sixteen others including, cocoa, citrus, oil palm, vegetable, rice, yam, livestock and poultry farmers, and Extension Workers were recognised for their contributions towards agriculture and national progress.

Speaking at the function, Mr. Frank Marcellus Kwame Busumtwi, Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive, advised the youth to endeavour to take farming as their major occupation and to be prepared to take over the farming industry from their aged parents, to help keep the industry growing.