Assin Adiembra (C/R), Dec. 7, GNA - The Ambrose Fish Farm at Assin Adiembra in the Central Region has supplied 10,000 fingerlings of a new species of tilapia to 16 farmers to promote fish farming in the country. Mr Derrick Owusu Ambrose, owner of the Farm said the new species, red in colour were imported from Singapore.

Mr Ambrose, a pharmacist at the Saltpond District Hospital who conducted the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on an inspection of the farm as part of the celebration of the Farmers' Day in the Assin South District said the new variety was suitable for the Ghanaian climate, grew faster and produced more than the local type.

He said he started the farm with only seven fingerlings two years ago, but could now supply a substantial quantity for fish farmers to multiply.

His father, Mr Eric Ambrose Owusu who manages the farm said there were plans to expand the fish ponds to increase production of the fingerlings.

Mr Owusu said after supplying the farmers with the fingerlings, often on credit, "we follow up to ensure that the farmers are doing the right thing."

Twenty-two farmers received prizes at the celebration, with Mr Bernard Kofi Toku from Assin Andoe adjudged the overall best farmer. He was presented with a 14 inch colour television set, a bicycle, half piece of wax print a pair of Wellington boots, two cutlasses and a some cocoa drinks.

The District Chief Executive, Ms Millicent Kuranchie appealed to women to take farming seriously and promised a five-million cedi cash award to a woman who would win the best farmer award in subsequent years.

Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines and Member of Parliament for Assin South donated 20 pairs of Wellington boots and 50 cutlasses towards the awards and promised to provide the community with a gari processing machine. Nana Tibu Asare II, Omanhene of Assin Atandasu appealed to the government to provide the district with a market to sell their produce. He said farmers were getting discouraged to produce more because middlemen were taking advantage of the lack of a ready market to buy their produce at cheap prices.