DR SAKU EMERGES BEST FARMER (1b)

THE nation honoured its gallant farmers at an impressive ceremony in Techiman yesterday, bestowing the National Best Farmer for 2008 award on a 54-year-old medical officer, Dr Simon Saku, from Wenchi in the Brong Ahafo.
For his prize, Dr Saku, who ventured into commercial farming only seven years ago, was the proud recipient of a three- bedroom house, valued at GH¢40,000, to be built at a place of his choice.
For the first time, the National Best Farmer is also to receive a pick-up from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to facilitate his mobility and farm operations.
In all, 67 farmers, including 10 agricultural extension officers, engaged in different categories of agricultural activities were recognised for their contributions to agriculture and national development.
The theme for the celebration was, “Globalisation: Its effects on agricultural production in Ghana”.
The first runner-up in the national best farmer category was Madam Janet Nyabase from Azugyire in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region, while the second runner-up award was clinched by Mr Moris Dery, a 57-year-old retired civil servant.
Madam Nyabase took home a double cabin pick-up, while Mr Dery went away with a single cabin pick up.
The Best Cocoa Farmer award for 2008 went to Clement Kwasi Kuma from C.K. Krom in the Juabeso District of the Western Region and, for his prize, he took home a double cabin pick-up.
In the fishing category, Mr Kojo Sotor, who began fishing in 1974 at Elmina, emerged the Best National Fisherman. Mr Sotor, an evangelist, fisherman and President of the Power Evangelism Network, received a pick-up. He has four canoes, two beach seines and two Watsa fishing nets, as well as oil palm plantations.
The first runner-up in that category was Torgbui Avu Francis from Avukope in the Volta Region, who was the proud recipient of a deep freezer, a colour television set, fishing nets, rope and an outboard motor.
Mr Tsani Gadoga, the second runner-up, who is from Ada in the Greater Accra Region, received similar prizes. He has 18 canoes, two of which operate in Cameroun.
Expressing appreciation to the nation on behalf of the award winners, Dr Saku said farmers were grateful to the government for continuing with the Farmers Day celebration and said the event would continue to serve as a source of motivation to farmers and get particularly the youth to go into agriculture.
Later in an interview, Dr Saku said he began farming after he had been saved by farmers when he was involved in an accident between Techiman and Wenchi seven years ago.
Dr Saku, who also operates a private hospital, has cultivated 666 out of 950 acres into different types of farms located at Wenchi, Amponsahkrom, Abatareye, Subinso, Aduana, Bodidenom, Beposo and Wurongho, all in the Wenchi municipality. He has engaged 45 full-time workers and 80 casual farm hands. He is married with six children.
He explained that he had managed to keep his farms and the hospital at the same time because of his ability to apply time management principles.
The National Award Winners Association also presented a tractor and its accessories to President Kufuor as a parting gift to him on his retirement and also to encourage him to venture into agriculture.