Mr Michael Teye, a 41-year-old farmer, has been named the 2024 Best Farmer for the Tema Metro at the district celebration of the 40th National Farmers’ Day.
The theme for the celebration was, “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security.”
Mr Teye has acres of farmlands covering maize, onion, cassava, and green pepper, and also rears pigs, goats, cattle, and poultry.
For his prize, he received a tricycle, wheelbarrow, assorted items, fertilizer, agrochemicals, and a Knapsack sprayer, among others.
He commended the government and the agriculture department for support and advised the youth who cannot climb high the academic ladder to take advantage of agriculture to make a living just as he did when he lost interest in schooling.
He called for an intervention on the high production cost of grains, especially soya, adding that water for farming was another challenge that needed to be addressed by providing irrigation dams and pumps to help them get water from rivers to irrigate their crops.
The Tema Metro Best Farmer also bemoaned the dwindling availability of arable lands for farming as they continue to lose the farmlands to developers and other activities.
Mr Yohane Amarh Ashitey, the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, congratulated all the winners while encouraging other farmers and fishermen to work hard and in collaboration with the agriculture department to continue feeding the nation.
Mr Ashitey reminded residents that human activities contribute greatly to climate change, which has adverse effects on the sustenance of agriculture in the country.
He cautioned them against dumping refuse and household waste into drains as they are washed into the sea, contributing to sea temperature rise with its tidal waves and sea erosion consequences for those living along the coast.
Mr George Batsah, Tema Metropolitan Agric Director, stated that climate change was reshaping the world and causing an increase in temperature, prolonged drought, and unpredictable rainfall patterns, making it difficult for farmers to engage in planting.
He said climate change was not only an environmental issue, but also a socio-economic problem that threatens the survival of people.
He called for an urgent and strategic response to the issue through technological use and improved-quality seeds and fertilizers that could resist droughts and mature early to safeguard food systems and enhance food security.
Eight people, including two women, were awarded at the ceremony for categories covering fisheries worker, fish processor, young entrepreneur farmer, crop farmer, and overall best fisher.
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