Nadowli, (U/W) Dec. 3, - The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has provided 1. 648 billion cedis to farmers in the Upper West Region for the implementation of their own initiated projects. Each of the eight districts has therefore been allocated an amount of 206 million cedis aimed at meeting the needs of the farmers with regard to executing projects they considered as very important to their needs. Mr. Emmanuel Eledi, the Regional Director of Food and Agriculture announced this at the regional celebration of the 21st national farmers day in the Upper West Region held at Nadowli.

Mr. Buonaa Der, a 57-year old farmer of Buo- Zipien in the Sissala West District was adjudged the Regional Best farmer. He took as his prize a cornmill with its accessories, a hand sewing machine, a bicycle, a piece of wax print and six cutlasses, among others. Mr Eledi said the food situation in the region was relatively good with the exception of the Lawra and Jirapa/ Lambussie districts where initial reports indicate poor harvests by farmers this season. Mr Eledi suggested that all efforts should be directed at creating food buffer stocks for solving the perennial food shortages in the region and its dependence on donors to make up for the shortage.

Mr Ambrose Dery, the Regional Minister enumerated a number of strategies put in place to step up agricultural production in the region. He said in line with this, the government had released an amount of 1. 2 billion cedis to the seed growers association for the production of certified seeds for distribution to farmers in the region. Wing Commander (rtd) Eric Dakurah, the Nadowli District Chief Executive said the assembly had contributed 45 million cedis towards the hosting of the function by the district.