Tanchara (Upper West) - Mr. Mahama Mwini, a 50-year old farmer from Kpari near Babile in the Lawra District was on Saturday adjudged the best Upper West Regional farmer at the region's celebration of the 18th national farmers day held at Tanchara, a farming community.

For his prize, he took home a brand new cornmill, a sewing machine and seven matchets. In all, sixteen farmers including one woman were adjudged the best in various crop categories, and were presented with prizes made of bicycles, wax prints, farm boots, radio cassette recorders and matchets.

In his address, the Regional Minister, Sahanun Mogtari said the Upper West Agricultural Development Project (UWADEP) has put in place a umber of interventions to support farmers in the region to improve on their agricultural activities.

Mogtari said under the project improved and high yielding seed arieties would be made available to farmers for cultivation. At the same time, small ruminants and poultry improvement programme has also been put in place to improve on the existing local breeds of sheep, goat and guinea fowls.

On feeder roads development, the Minister said a total of 175.05 kilometres of roads have so far been improved through the region with the exception of the Jirapa/Lambussie District where work is to commence early next year.

Under water resource development, Mr. Mogtari said five new small-scale dams have been awarded on contract in Wa, Nadowli, and Sissala districts. He disclosed that 3,200 farmers have benefited from the project's credit support to increase their production.