Brong-Ahafo has a stockpile of maize

The Brong-Ahafo Region has a stockpile of 104,457 mini (50 kilogramme) bags of maize at the Wenchi and Sunyani collection points.

Mr. Eric Opoku, the Regional Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo South, said this at the 30th Regional farmers’ day celebration at Derma in the Tano South District.

Mr. Opoku said 34,933 of the stock had been released with 69,524 left under the national food security programme meant to mop up excess foodstuff in the market during glut period for storage to improve food security in the country.

He said the Region continued to benefit under the various government agricultural interventions and farmers had been assisted with improved seeds, fertilizer, agro chemicals, tractors and extension services to enable them to improve their yields.

Mr. Opoku said eight agricultural mechanization centres had been established in the Region with 48 tractors supplied on credit basis under a nationwide programme and drive towards the mechanization of agriculture .

Touching on the theme of the celebration “Eat what we grow”, Mr. Opoku said besides the health and nutritional benefits of eating fresh local foods, the growing and development of the campaign would translate into other tangible benefits like job creation , poverty reduction and consequently increase national economic growth.

Twenty-three farmers including three women were awarded in various categories of agriculture.

Nana Alex Tweneboah Kodua, aged 61 from Mim in the Asunafo North Municipality was crowned the Regional best farmer and was giving corn sheller, tricycle , cutlasses, wellington boot, insecticides , wax print and a certificate.

Tano South also adjuged 49- year-old Mr. Kwabena Twum of Derma as the District best farmer and was giving a motor cycle, 43 inches led television, knapsack sprayer, a wax print, wellington boot watering can, cutlass, key bar soaps and a certificate.