Mr. Atubiga Abubakar a 49 year old farmer from Kotokrom was on the 8^th November, 2024 adjudged the Municipal best farmer for Sunyani Municipal at a durbar held at Mensahkrom.

For his prize, he received a tricycle (motor king), Wellington boots, Knapsack, machetes, bars of soap, a wax print, radio and a certificate.

Mr. Kwasi Kukrunyorn from Asuotia was the 1st runner up, while Madam Salamatu Ibrahim from Benue Nkwanta took the 2nd runner up position. A total of 11 farmers including three women and an Agric extension agent were awarded in various categories.

Mr. Ansu Kumi the MCE for Sunyani Municipal in an address praised the gallant farmers for their contribution towards the strengthening of the economy of the country. Speaking on the theme for this year’s celebration, "Building Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security,” he reiterated the government's commitment to investment in Agriculture to boost the economy.

He mentioned the government’s flagship Planting for Food and Jobs programme which has entered phase two of its implementation and urged the youth to take advantage by venturing into agriculture as businesses for themselves and to contribute to the economic growth by farming to sustain food security and jobs in the country.

Hon. Kwasi Ameyaw Kyeremeh, MP for Sunyani East in an address commended he farmers for their contribution to economic growth of the country and urged them to promote peace in all their endeavours during the elections. He donated a motorbike to the overall best farmer.

Mr. Patrick Dela Newman, Municipal Director of Agric, encouraged farmers to register with his office for accessibility to government support and training on modern ways of farming. He said that, over forty thousand (40,000) farmers have been registered.

He detailed that, under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme, through the Municipal Assembly has distributed fertilizers, maize seeds, mango, oil palm and coconut seedlings to farmers in the Municipality. He revealed that, with support from Plan Ghana, 61 women have been trained in mushroom production, snail rearing and bee keeping after which they were provided with a start up packs.

Mr. Dela Newman mentioned that, climate change has affected the weather pattern and has contributed to changes in the rainfall pattern as most Famers in the Municipality or Ghana rely heavily on the rain for cultivation. He therefore stressed the need for government, extension officers, and farmers to adopt best methods and plant crop which can adapt to the weather throughout the year to ensure food security.

He cautioned the farmers against the misuse of agro chemicals to safeguard their health as well as that of the consumers of their products.

The Municipal fire Commander DOII Daniel Agyeman Duah used the occasion to inaugurate a fire volunteer squad and to announce a ban on sending fire to the bush to prevent bush fires.