Kobedi (B/A), Dec 1, GNA 96 Mr. Seidu Wala, 41, a farmer at Kobedi, a farming community near Chiraa in the Brong Ahafo Region stunned participants at this year's Sunyani Municipal Farmers Day Celebration held at Kobedi when he presented a rare bird species at the occasion.

Mr Seidu, who could not disclosed whether the bird was a male or a female, explained that he had it nine months ago when some eggs were hatched by one of his hen.

The rare black and white feathered bird had both look of a chicken and a guinea fowl, while the upper part looks like a chicken, the lower part looks like a guinea fowl.

The people present at the occasion, including the agricultural officials admitted that they have never seen such a bird before and added that they would conduct further research to know how the bird originated.

In all, 21 farmers were honoured at the occasion with consolation prizes of cutlasses, bars of key soap and boxes of matches being given to some of them.

Mr Thomas Adu-Gyamfi, a farmer at Antwikrom near Sunyani was declared the Municipal Best Farmer for his prize and took home a bicycle, a pair of Wellington Boot, five cutlasses, one full peace of wax cloth, four bars of key soap and one raido recorder. Mr Kwasi Gyabaa of Fiapre near Sunyani took the second position, while Madam Augustina Mansah of Dumase near Sunyani took the third position. Each of them received a Knapfack sprayer, cutlasses, bars of key soap, half piece of clothes and radio recorder as their prizes. In his address, the Acting Municipal Director of Agriculture, Mr Joseph Kambunaba advised the youth to go into farming, which involved sectors like animal production, fish farming and non-traditional farming, adding that the government has introduce incentives which had already motivated some communities to get into agricultural production. He appealed to the beneficiaries maize project introduced by the government to be mindful of repayment, because the practice is preventing others from benefiting.

Mr. Kambunaba added that his Ministry this year offered assistance in the form of training on simple form of record keeping, the carrying of livestock census, improvement of local dishes, the use of soyabeans, among others for farmers in the Municipality. The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Kwame Twumasi Awuah expressed gratitude to the farmers for their efforts at ensuring food sustainability in spite of many constrains. He stressed the need for the youth in the Municipality to engage in agriculture as the present farmers were aging and pledged the government's support for the youth who would go into farming. Barima Kwame Mintah Asare II, Omanhene of Chiraa Traditional Area and the Chairman of the occasion appealed to government to increase the prizes given to the hard working farmers. He said prizes of matches and bars of key soap given to them as awards is not encouraging. He however, thanked the government for the assistance being given to farmers. 01 Dec. 06