A visit to the farm of 75-year-old David Akantuge Adongo, who was crowned the Best Farmer in the Bongo District in the Upper East Region, Friday November 6, 2020 reveals a sight to behold.
The farm of the 75-year-old, who does not look his age, is a reflection of what is often seen in the coastal areas of Ghana. He has painstakingly grown palm trees, orange, cocoa, banana, cashew, among others aside the traditional crops known to the savannah zone.
Mr. Adongo explained that his desire to go into trees and crops not native to the savannah zone was fueled by several years of work in Ghana’s coastal areas.
While admonishing farmers to continue to sacrifice and be patient in their quest to succeed in their chosen career, he called for support for farmers, urging government to ensure improved and early maturing varieties are made available. He announced that he will soon harvest a popular local drink known as palmwine which often attracts a large crowd. An event that could be described as a minny festival.
“I have lived several years of my youthful life in the south but I resolved not to go back and rather do what I did over there here in Bongo. All this took sacrifice and patience because many of these trees take years to mature. I will take this opportunity to call on all farmers to not give up and remain patient since the day of harvest will always vindicate them. We also have problems and I will urge government to support farmers with fertilizer for both seasons and equally make available early maturing seed varieties,” he said.
At the 36th National Farmers day event, Mr. Adongo took home a tricycle, radio set, a piece of cloth, a Knapsack sprayer and a pair of Wellington Boots.
The event saw 21 other farmers win awards for various categories.
