President John Agyekum Kufuor has presented keys to a 400 million-cedi three-bedroom house to the 2001 National Best farmer, Nana Mathew Kwasi Bonsu. The house was built at Adenta, in Accra, as directed by the award winner. It was sponsored by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) in appreciation of the contributions made by farmers and fishermen to the country(quote)s economy.

Incidentally, Nana Bonsu a farmer from Sefwi Yawmetwa in the Juabeso Bia District in the Western Region, is a customer of the bank. In addition to the house, Nana Kwasi Bonsu was given a one-year insurance cover. A borehole was also constructed on his farm.

President Kufuor appealed to financial institutions to complement government's efforts in assisting farmers and entrepreneurs to add value to agricultural produce. He said when farmers are assisted to invest in agro-processing in the rural areas, it would enable them to earn more revenue and improve on their standard of living.

President Kufuor commended the ADB for being innovative and supporting government to honour farmers and fishermen. "If the financial institutions had assisted in such a manner in the past, farming would have been put on a higher pedestal in the country".

Mr. Paul Koranteng, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ADB, said the bank has pledged another three-bedroom house for the Best National Farmer this year to be built at the winner(quote)s choice. He said the bank was determined to partner government to modernise and diversify agriculture, the backbone of the economy.