Krachi West Municipal Crowns 40-Year-Old Sumaila as Overall Best Farmer.

Krachi West: The Krachi West Municipality of the Oti region has welcomed Mr Amadu Sumaila, a 40-year-old farmer who has been named the 2024 overall best farmer in the area. Mr Sumaila rears 300 cattle, 120 sheep, 50 goats, and cultivates 17 acres of maize, 10 acres of cassava, and seven acres of rice. For his achievements, he received a tricycle, wellington boots, and cutlasses as prizes.According to Ghana News Agency, a total of seventeen farmers were also recognized with various awards during the 40th National Farmers Day celebration. Mr Sumaila expressed his appreciation to the government and the Department of Agriculture for their support, acknowledging the contributions of Ghanaian farmers to the nation's food supply and raw materials for trade and industry. He encouraged local youth to view farming as a viable business opportunity, emphasizing that it is a sector with minimal risk of total loss.However, Mr Sumaila highlighted the scarcity of water as a major challenge for farmers in the area and app ealed to the government for the provision of irrigation dams and pumps to mitigate this issue. The theme for this year's National Farmers Day celebration was: 'Building Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security'.Mr Atta Adusei Brown, the Krachi West Municipal Director of Agriculture, noted that climate change is contributing to increased temperatures and prolonged droughts globally, complicating farming efforts. He advised farmers to invest in irrigation farming to overcome the challenges posed by drought and ensure consistent cultivation.Additionally, Mr Emmanuel Kajal Lalula, the Municipal Chief Executive, congratulated the awardees and encouraged more youth to consider careers in agriculture.