Vice President Professor Evans Atta Mills was the guest of honour at this year's Western Region National Farmers Day at Abura in the Ahanta West District where 34 farmers who excelled in various agricultural fields were presented with prizes.

33-year old Mr. Modibo Baali of Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District was adjudged the Western Regional best Farmer. He had as his prize an oil palm extracting machine worth 15 million cedis, a bicycle, sewing machine, seven pairs of wellington boots, radio cassette record player, a piece of wax-print, two cutlasses and a certificate.

Addressing the farmers, Professor Mills stated that Agricultural Officers would no longer be allowed to stay in their offices, instead, they would be made to go to the field to assist farmers adopt modern agricultural practices to improve their yields.

He regretted that Agricultural officers who have been trained with public funds rather choose to stay in their offices and refuse to go to farmers on their fields to impart what they have learnt or trained to do.

Professor Mills noted that in the midst of higher production, farmers unfortunately appear to be receiving fewer returns on their labour in terms of real value for their produce. In this regard, he said, it is necessary to regard post-harvest handling and storage facilities important in the production of high quality agricultural produce.

"Our middlemen and women, farmers, retailers and food processors as well as drivers should be educated and assisted to ensure that food items are transported with minimal damage,"

Professor Mills said Government intends to further strengthen agricultural sector to make sure that its full potential is realised. Professor Mills said Government would also continue its programme of providing economic and social infrastructure such as good roads, electricity, and health facilities in every part of the country.

He therefore appealed to farmers to support the NDC to continue with the good works started by President Jerry John Rawlings. In a welcoming address, Mr. Kish Odum, Presiding Member of the Ahanta West District Assembly announced that 76 hectares of 12,160 coconut seedlings have been nursed for 61 farmers whose coconut plantations had been destroyed by St. Cape Paul Wilt disease, in the District.

He said the coconut out-grower scheme, introduced by the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) has provided employment and income to farmers in the District. Mr. Joseph K. Buadi of Boadikrom was adjudged the best farmer in the District and was presented with a bicycle, sewing machine, radio/cassette record player, a pair of wellington boots, two cutlasses and a certificate.

The remaining award winners adjudged the best farmers in cocoa, coffee, coconut, oil palm, food-crops, vegetables, rubber, livestock, fish pond, poultry and marine fishing were also presented with items as their prizes.