Thirteen farmers and fishermen were on Friday awarded in the Effutu Municipal National Farmers’ Day celebration at Nsuaekyre.

They were presented with ice chests, aluminum bows, wellington boots, knapsack sprayers, weedicides, shovels, television set and certificates. Mrs Mary Asmah, a 40-year old farmer from Effutu Nsuaekyre , was adjudged the District’s best farmer.

The theme for the celebration was: “Grow more food; strengthening farmer based organizations for market place bargaining power”.

Mr Emmanuel Oduro, Effutu Municipal MOFA, urged farmers to adopt modern farming practices, especially usage of approved chemical to food production. He said through the support of Effutu Municipal Assembly the Ministry has been able establish a 15-acre maize farm at New Winneba.

He said ten farmers in the area have been also introduced to the cultivation of Chili Pepper for export.

Mr Mike Allen Hammah, MP for Effutu, commended the farmers for their immerse contribution to the development of the nation and hoped they will continue to work harder to increase productivity.

He said the government will continue to give support and intervention to increase food production in the country and appealed to chiefs and land owners to release land for agriculture.

Nii Ephraim, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, said government has introduced useful policies and programmes including the root and tuber improvement and market, northern rural growth , youth in agriculture and the supply of subsidized fertilizer to help increase food production.

He said for the past three years the Municipal Directorate of MOFA in collaboration with Assembly has also introduced programmes such as the Farmer Based Organizations in other to adopt best farming techniques and practice.

The MCE said under the programme over 100 youth have been supported to cultivate over 150 acres of maize.