The awards formed part of a farmers’ forum organised by CHED in the Amansie West District at Manso-Nkaasu to discuss issues and challenges facing cocoa production. It also created a platform for the farmers to interact with extension and technical officers to share ideas on new techniques and agronomic practices to improve farm management to increase crop yield and income.

The awardees were Mr J.K. Ampong, Mr Edward Gyimah, Mr Osei Kwame, Mr Andrews Tawiah, Mr Akwasi Amoah and Mr Ibrahim Kassim, who was declared the overall best farmer. They received items such as insecticides, wellington booths, CDs on farmers’ sensitisation on child labour, and certificates of honour.

Mr Fritz Kwami-Adala, the Antoakrom District Cocoa Officer, said the award was to recognise the contributions of cocoa farmers in the economic development of the country. He said the awardees were selected based on their adherence to good agronomic practices, punctuality at farmer business school sessions and dedication to volunteer works and assigned roles.

Mr Kwami-Adala commended the cocoa farmers for their tremendous contributions to the economy and urged them to cooperate fully with CHED technical officers and agents in order to adopt good agronomic practices to improve and sustain growth, yield and incomes.

Mr Kassim, on behalf of his colleagues, commended CHED for recognising the efforts of cocoa farmers and honouring them. He urged government to support to farmers to embark on irrigation projects on their farms to increase yield and productivity.