Nyinase (B/A), Dec. 4, (credit Adu Simon) GNA - Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, Nkoranza South District Chief Executive, has commended the erstwhile Peoples National Defence Council (PNDC) government for instituting the celebration of National Farmers' Day.

Addressing farmers on Friday in the district at Nyinase to mark the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Day, he said, instituting it was a step in the right direction because it gives real meaning to the fact that agriculture is the backbone of the nation's economy and must be well support.

This year's day was under the theme: "Accelerated Agricultural Modernization for Food Security and Economic Transformation". The DCE described the theme as very appropriate since there was the need to accelerate food security and economic transformation through agricultural technology to enable farmers to gain access to ready market for their produce.

Mr Agyekum said it was the invaluable role played by farmers that the government recently increased the producer price of cocoa to sustain their interest in the sector.

He said government's subsidy on fertilizer inputs was another intervention to make farmers proud of their activities so they would encourage the youth to engage in agriculture. The DCE expressed concern about how a number of the youth felt reluctant to go into farming and stressed that agriculture is a business just as other vocations and the unemployed youth should engage in it to earn their livelihood.

Mr Agyekum reminded the people of the impending dry season and urged them to be conscious about bushfires to avoid the destruction of farms and properties.

Mr Mac Lawrence Ahiadu, District Director of Agricultural Services, said the Ministry of Food and Agriculture undertook a block farming project within the year and cultivated about 240 hectares of maize, offering job opportunities to about 1000 persons in the district. The major challenge that faces farmers in this area has been army worm infestation, which has continuously destroyed large maize farms in the communities within the past three years.

Mr Kwaku Azubire, a 41-year old farmer from Ahiayem was adjudged the best farmer and received a certificate of merit, a motor bike, a piece of wax print, three pairs of wellington boots, five cutlasses, six bars of key soap and a knapsack spraying machine as his prize. About 40 other outstanding farmers received several prizes ranging from bicycles, spraying machines, pieces of wax print, Wellington boots, bars of key soap and cutlasses.

Nana Okofu Agyapong, Adontenhene, who represented Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom, Omanhene of Nkoranza Traditional Area, presided over the function.