Farmers have been urged to adopt modern methods of agriculture practices to help enhance national food security. Mr Kwame Twumasi-Awuah, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) gave the advice during the Farmer's Day celebration at Nwawasua in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Mr Twumasi-Awuah noted that since agriculture was the bedrock of the economy, there was the need to improve on farming techniques particularly in the areas of proper application of fertilizes and weedicides.

He said the government recognized the important role of farmers in nation building, and that, the municipal assembly disbursed GH=A27,000 whilst the Ministry of Food and Agriculture also spent GH=A236,000 to the youth who are engaged in farming as a credit facility in this year's crop season.

Mr Twumasi-Awuah mentioned post-harvest losses as the major challenges facing farmers, stressing that Agric Extension Officers had been mandated to educate farmers on the proper methods of harvesting. He condemned the upsurge of chainsaw operations and bushfires and warning that the municipal assembly had enacted bye-laws to deal harshly with the perpetrators.

The MCE advised the farmers who had not registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme to do so, and advised members to desist from abusing the scheme to ensure its sustainability. Mr Twumasi-Awuah commended the farmers for their immense contribution towards the development of the country.

Mr Kwasi Baffour-Awuah, Municipal Fire Officer explained that the agriculture sector had made greater strides in the municipality in the form of employment creation and the provision of raw material to agro industries.

He noted with regret that the sector that offered 70 percent employment to the country's population contributed less than six percent towards Gross Domestic Product.

Mr Baffour-Awuah there was the need to address the institutional, infrastructure, financial, social, technological and environmental challenges in the agricultural sector.

He said bushfires are becoming rampant in the municipality and that it is caused the activities of slash and burn agriculture practices, charcoal burning, game hunting smoking and palm wine tapping.

A 47-year-old Prophet, Daniel Owusu of Abesim, was adjudged the overall best farmer and took home a motorbike, a spraying machine, Wellington boot, wax prints, cutlasses, a radio set and a wheelbarrow. The second best farmer went to Isaac Okrah, 43 from Nsoatre and he received a television set, a bicycle, a standing fan, a spraying machine, Wellington boot, cutlasses, a radio set and boxes of key soap. Mrs Mujeeba Kasim, 33, from Dumasua was adjudged the third best farmer and took home a refrigerator, a wheelbarrow, a spraying machine, Wellington boot, cutlasses, a radio set and boxes of key soap. In all 90 deserving farmers were awarded with Wellington boots, cutlasses, spraying machines and boxes of key soap.

The occasion also coincided with the launching of a 70-member anti-bushfire campaign squad

As part of the country's commemoration of the 23rd National Farmers' Day, 18 farmers in the Birim South District of the Eastern Region have been awarded prizes for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

The day, which coincided with the nation's 50th anniversary celebration, was set-aside to recognise and honour the contributions of farmers to national development.

Residents of Osorase on Friday witnessed the influx of people from all over the district to celebrate the Day and the various activities brought the town alive.

The theme for this year's celebration: "Ghana at 50, Progress and Challenges for Sustainable Agricultural Development".

The award was categorised into three: The District Best Farmer, Mr. Emmanuel Duah from Akim Swedru collected for his prize, a certificate, a full piece of wax print, four matchets, a pair of Wellington boots, a bicycle, a radio set, a spraying machine, a wall clock and a set of microwave dishwasher.

The others, 14 Commodity Award Winners received a certificate, a half piece of wax print, two matchets and a pair of Wellington boot, a spraying machine, a wall clock and a set of microwave dishwasher each. The rest, Processing Group took away prize of a certificate, cooking pot, aluminium basin, long ladle, a wall clock, two matchets and a microwave dishwasher.

The district had also produced four National and Regional Award Winners. They included the National Best Cocoyam farmer, the Eastern Regional Overall Best Farmer, Regional Best Citrus Farmer and the Regional Best Agricultural Extension Worker for 2007.

Mr. Frank Kwame Busumtwi, District Chief Executive (DCE) expressed joy that since the assumption of office in 2001 by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the government had been consistent with the "Farmers' Day Celebration" since it recognised the fact that the wheels of the country's economy revolved around agriculture.

He stated that the Birim South District had benefited form the government's Food and Agricultural Budgetary support Project, Farmers Based organisation Development Fund, Inland Valley Rice Development Project (IVRDP) and the Minor Season Maize Project, which he was grateful to the government.

According to him, 29 farmer groups and several individual farmers in the Birim South District had benefited from the government's credit facility to the tune of GH 120,357.00 cedis.

The DCE noted that credit facilities given to most farmers in the district by the government, had not rpt not been refunded and therefore, appealed to them to repay the loans since such a facility was a revolving fund. MORE LA/REA