The Offinso Municipal Agricultural District is divided into sixteen (16) Operational areas; and the District celebration of the National Farmers’ day is therefore held alternately any suitable town in any of these operational areas on a rotational basis.
The 2023 National Farmers’ Day celebration which happens to be the 39th National Farmers’ Day Celebration was held at Agyeimpra within the southern zone of the Municipality on the theme “DELIVERING SMART SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY AND RESILIENCE” on Friday the 1st of December, 2023.
SELECTION OF AWARD WINNERS
A five (5) member inspection team made up of 3 Senior Agric Technical staffs (M.A.Os), 1 Agric Extension Technical staff (AEA) and 1 Local Government Service staff from the Municipal Assembly was constituted to go round the municipal and inspect fields/farms of all nominees for the various awards.
Competing nominees were then assessed based on the following criteria among others.
- Good farm maintenance and hygiene
- Receptivity to new technologies
- Diversification of agricultural enterprises
- Scale of operation
- Farm record keeping
- Knowledge of husbandry practices
- Role in the community
- Innovativeness
AWARDS
Since 2017 in the history of farmers’ day celebration in the districts, the award categories were changed. These included,
- Municipal overall best farmer
- 1st Runner up best farmer
- 2nd Runner up best farmer
- Best youth farmer
- 16 Individual crop categories
- Best AEA
Within the year 2023 there was an exception as the number was downsized and farmers were awarded for their exceptional work. In all, 13 individual crop and livestock awards, 1 Municipal Best Farmer, 2 Runners up, 1 Youth farmer and 1 AEA awards were given out.
In attendance were very prominent dignitaries including the Member of Parliament: Hon. Dr. I. Y Opoku Municipal Chief Executive, the Municipal Coordinating Director and his deputies, the Municipal Director of Agriculture, Offinso Hemaa, Agyeimpra Chief and sub Chiefs, Heads of various departments and agencies, and the Assembly members.
The MADU in collaboration with the Planning department under the auspices of the Municipal Health directorate and the AIDS Commission organized and mounted an over patronized stand to conduct voluntary counselling and testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and Malaria to commemorate World AIDS day which coincided with the farmers’ day celebration.
The competition was fierce, and keenly contested. In the end, Mrs. Vida Asuamah of Kyebi was adjured the overall Municipal Best Farmer
