Farmers Urged to Embrace Climate-Resilient Agricultural Practices for Enhanced Food Security.

Koforidua: Hajia Habiba Yusifu, the Eastern Regional Director of Food and Agriculture, has encouraged farmers to embrace knowledge on climate change adaptation in agriculture to enhance food security. She highlighted the department's efforts to build farmers' capacity through technological adaptation practices aimed at reducing post-harvest losses caused by unfavorable weather conditions.According to Ghana News Agency, the statement was made during the Regional Farmers' Day Awards presentation in Koforidua. The event, a joint effort between the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council and the Regional Department of Food and Agriculture, was supported by Newmont Ghana, Chemico Limited, and GreenFert. The adaptation practices recommended include innovative irrigation techniques and the use of mobile devices and software.At the awards ceremony, ten dedicated farmers, including an Agriculture Extension Agent (AEA), were honored with certificates, agricultural inputs, and other items. Dr. Samuel Hodor Mensah, an optometrist and farmer from Mepom in the West Akim Municipality, was named the Overall Best Regional Farmer. Dr. Mensah is recognized for his diligent production of coconut, tubers, vegetables, agro-products, and animal husbandry, as well as his contributions to local communities through the provision of boreholes and computers for schools.Dr. Mensah received a range of prizes, including a Royal tricycle, a mist blower, a blender, a piece of cloth, a 50-inch television, a refrigerator, an electric kettle, bags of fertilizer, cartons of liquid fertilizer, cutlasses, wellington boots, a wheelbarrow, a Knapsack sprayer, and a solar lamp. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and its partners for acknowledging his hard work.Mr. Yaw Adu, Chief Director at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, praised farmers as great businesspeople and encouraged them to aim for higher accolades, including global awards. He emphasized the importance of their contributions to the nation, stating, "Without your contribution to the nation, we cannot get the strength to work at our various institutions, we appreciate your hard work."The 40th National Farmers' Day celebration took place in the Greater Accra Region, where three individuals from the Eastern Region were recognized with national awards, including the National Best Farmer second runner-up, National Best Female Farmer, and the National Best Coffee Farmer.