The Queen mother of Agortime-Wodome in the Volta Region, Mama Wosife V, was crowned as the Overall District Best Farmer 2023 for the Agortime-Ziope District at Takuve last Friday.

The Queen-mother, currently residing at Agortime-Akpokorpe, cultivates acres of farmland in the Agortime-Ziope District as a business, boasting 30 acres of maize, seven acres of tomatoes, three acres of okro, three acres of cassava, 1.5 acres of yam, five acres of sweet potato and two acres of pepper.

The rest are 25 goats, six sheep and 42 fowls.

She received one 43-inch TV set, four spraying machines, eight cutlasses, four boots and 10 weedicides for her prize on December 1, 2023.

Mama Wosife V, in her acceptance speech, said she has always loved to farm, however, because of the duty postings of her late husband who was a police officer, she did not have the time to venture fully into it.

She said she started with business but later when her late husband retired from active service, she zoomed fully into agriculture about 16 years ago.

“I started with business in a shop but I realised the shop could not cater for the family. 

“All my siblings are farming and I decided to farm too to support the family,” she said.

She encouraged more women to venture into farming to support their families as the men cannot do it alone.

She further added that the award she received challenged her to do more in farming.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Agortime-Ziope District, Hon Emelia Emefa Adzimah, said the contribution of “our farmers to the growth of the nation cannot be overemphasised,” adding the invaluable contributions of farmers ensure food security in the country.

In pursuit of achieving Goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which seeks to provide sustainable solutions to eradicate hunger in all forms by 2023, she said, the Assembly is ensuring that the agriculture sector is given the necessary attention and resources to ensure all-year food production and the application of the necessary technologies to increase yield and prevent post-harvest losses.

She noted with the support of the World Bank through the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project (GPSNP), the Assembly has Citrus and Coconut Plantations in 10 communities in the district.

“The goal is to alleviate extreme poverty, boost the productivity and incomes of the poor in the district whilst mitigating climate change challenges,” she said.

The Paramount Chief of the Ziope Traditional Area, Torgbui Binah Lawluvi VII, who chaired the occasion, said stakeholders must create the necessary environment through policy interventions and other incentives to motivate farmers to play their roles more effectively. 

He said stakeholders must demonstrate more sensitivity to the needs of farmers to enable them to optimise productivity, build resilience and attain a level of competitiveness derived from the efficient use of resources and technology.

“This year, about 90% of our tomatoes produce were left to rot on the farms because of lack of access roads,” he worried.

He bemoaned the government's attitude towards establishing a tomatoes factory in the district.

He said traditional authorities from the two traditional areas in the district will work closely with the Department of Feeder Roads and the Agric Department in the District Assembly to harness development for the people.

The 39th edition of the National Farmers' Day was on the theme: ‘Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience’.

Other award winners were; Mr Midao Ekpoh-Best Extension Collaborator, Mr Ahiale Kwadzo Believer-Most Enterprising Farmer, Mr Yao Keteku-Best Youth Farmer, Mr David Dogbey Kwashie-Overall Best Animal Farmer, Mad. Beatrice De-Gaulle-Overall Best Crop Farmer and Mr Stanley Dagadu-Best Agriculture Extension Agent