Having practiced Agriculture for 45 years and availed himself to learn new technologies from Agricultural Extension Officers, with about 61 employees, Awiebosagi Gariba, 59 from Bachonsa community has been crowned 2022 District Best Farmer during this year’s 38th Famers Day Celebration in the Builsa South District of the Upper East Region.
Mr Gariba cultivates about 33 acres of crops such as Maize, Millet, Rice, Cowpea and Groundnut and currently has 45 cattle, 100 domestic and Guinea Fowls, 19 Sheep and 4 Goats.
He has 3 wives with a household of about 13, though no formal education but assumed farming as a business rather than subsistent way of farming.
According to the Agric Directorate, Mr Gariba has contributed so much in the development of his community, the District and Ghana at large by his production services and productivity.
Speaking on this year’s Farmers Day Celebration theme, “Accelerating Agricultural Development through value addition”, in recognition of the efforts of Gallant Farmers to the development of Ghana, District Agriculture Director, Joshua Diedong said, the essence of the theme was to drum home the call for them to upgrade their agricultural development drive by moving beyond production to processing, packaging, labeling, Branding and exporting what they produce.
He said, “The concept of the value addition presents a great opportunity for all additional income generation, job creation and effective post-harvest management in the wake of the current global economic recession”.
Mr Gariba received a tricycle and 1 Knapsack Sprayer as part of the Directorate’s appreciation for his contribution to the development of the District in the Agric Sector.
10 other awardees among other things received motorcycle, Bicycle, Television Set, cutlasses and Wallington Boots.
Speaking during the celebration, Mr Gariba urged all farmers to get dedicated to their farming activities and adopt new technologies to improve their production not only to feed their families but also feed the nation and make income for themselves.
