A livestock farmer has emerged as the 2023 overall best farmer in the Accra metropolis.

Mr. Mohammed Awal who has a total of 96 bulls, 12 sheep, and 3 goats, embraces a zero-grazing strategy, where the animals are confined to a designated area, ensuring optimal conditions for their growth and development.

He was awarded together with 9 other farmers and the Saint Mary's Senior High School at Korle Gonno for his hard work and contribution to agricultural production in the country at this year's National Farmers' Day celebration organised by the AMA on the theme: "Delivering smart solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience.”

He took home a tricycle, a pair of Wellington boots, cutlasses, and Knapsack sprayers, The Saint Mary's Senior High School which was adjudged the Best Institution for their commitment and resilience in the school gardening project incorporated into the teaching programme received a polytank (Rambo 500), one Knapsack sprayer, five watering cans, a wheelbarrow, five spades, eight bags of compost, one bag of fertilizer, water hose, six holes and cutlasses. 

The Best Woman Poultry Farmer went to Madam Regina Doughblor, a 75-year-old at Kaneshie. She was awarded a deep freezer, three bags of feed (broiler starter), half a piece of cloth and two cutlasses.

Mr Salifu Adams who was awarded the Best Climate Smart Crop Vegetable Farmer also received a water pump, a bag of fertilizer, a wheelbarrow, a knapsack sprayer, a watering can and two cutlasses while Nii Boye Quarcoo, Metro Best Hook and Line Fisher took home a deep freezer, 200 yards’ line and two cutlasses.

Mr Ezekiel Adama, Best "Ali Poli Watsa" Fisher was also awarded a 25-metre fishing net, 1 8-one-quarter fishing net, half piece of cloth and two cutlasses and Best Fish Processor. Madam Mary Neequaye received a deep freezer and two cutlasses.

Mr Mohammed Mustapha, a livestock farmer was given a deep freezer three bags of feed and two cutlasses, while the Best Agricultural Extension officer went to Miss Naomi Mensah.

The other awardees were Mr Ali Adama, a physically challenged vegetable farmer who received a water pump, a bag of fertiliser, a wheelbarrow, a pair of Wellington boots, one Knapsack sprayer and two cutlasses.

The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey in a keynote address read on her behalf by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikwei South Constituency, Hon Dakoa Newman, said the agricultural sector which was the main source of livelihood for the majority of the country's poorest households remained a key drive of Ghana's economy, employing an average of 38.3 of the total workforce and contributing an average of 20 per cent of (GDP) between 2017 and 2022.

She emphasised that agriculture was key to food security, the livelihoods of millions of people, and the functioning of the natural resource base and expressed concerns over the effects climate change was having on the sector. 

 She highlighted that delivering smart solutions involves the application of various cropping mechanisms to ensure sustainable food security and resilience.

She said the AMA under the “Modernizing Agriculture in Ghana program” which was sponsored by the Canadians, received an amount of GH56,000 to improve extension service delivery.

He used the opportunity to encourage youth to take advantage of the wonderful programmes being introduced by the government such as the "You Start" among others.

She expressed appreciation to companies like Amen Amen Institute, Multivit Ghana Limited, Aglow Ghana Limited, Agrimat Ghana Limited and Domod Ghana Limited for their support over the past decade.