The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) on the prestigious occasion of the nation’s annual celebration of its farmers, the Farmers’ Day, has awarded Charles Gyamfi (58), a cocoa farmer in Anokyekrom, Brong Ahafo Region, the price of 2018’s National Best Cocoa Farmer.

The Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, presented Mr Gyamfi with this year’s reward items; thanking him (Mr Gyamfi) for his invaluable contribution to his nation. This year’s main celebratory event was held at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.

The farmer was presented with a Toyota Hilux pick up vehicle, a motorised slasher, a motorised pruner, a motorised sprayer, a set of protective clothing, twenty (20) litres of Akate Master for 50 acres (2 rounds), three hundred (300) sachets of fungicide for 50 acres (3 rounds), a carton of Pyramid chocolate products and a glass plaque.

While presenting the reward items, Mr Aidoo of COCOBOD, congratulated the Best Farmer and urged him to continue to adopt best sustainable farming practices, which will, in turn, enhance his yield.

He said the Pick Up, which is valued at GH?207.000, is to help the Best Farmer in his farming activities. “This vehicle, which is being given to you today, among other items, is to facilitate your work as a cocoa farmer, and to acknowledge your contributions to the cocoa industry in Ghana”.

COCOBOD is deeply interested in the welfare of all cocoa, shea and coffee farmers, Mr Aidoo added. It will continue to work with all key stakeholders to ensure that farmers get adequate technical support in managing their farms and equally receive the right payment for their produce.

In accepting the honour, Charles Gyamfi acknowledged the immense contribution that programmes from COCOBOD, such as the Productivity Enhancement Programmes (PEP) and the artificial hand pollination initiative have made to his farm. He credited such programme with the boost he has had in yields and proceeds.

Mr Gyamfi has been a cocoa farmer for decades. He has 100.88 hectares of mixed and hybrid cocoa farms in Anokyekrom and Sankore, both in the Brong Ahafo Region.

COCOBOD also rewarded other farmers at the farmers’ day event. Ekua Brenya from the Ashanti Region was awarded the Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer; the Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer was Paul Osei Tuffour from the Brong Ahafo Region; Rose Duku from the Brong Ahafo Region was named 2018’s the Best Coffee Farmer; and Akua Bantong from the Northern Region was the Best Shea Nut Picker.

Regional and District Best Cocoa and Coffee Farmers, as well as, Shea Nut Pickers all over the country were rewarded by COCOBOD, for their hard work and contribution to national development.