The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly (AEMA), Hajia Salma Sani Mohammed Adams-Kuta has advocated the adoption of technology and innovation by farmers regarding the effects of COVID-19 pandemic .

This, according to her, would improve food security, nutrition and economic development.

Hajia Adam-Kuta said this during the 36^thFarmer’s Day celebration of the Assembly in Accra last Friday which was on the theme “Ensuring Agribusiness Development under COVID-19, opportunities and challenges”.

The programme brought together people from all walks of life.

She said the agricultural sector sustained more than half of Ghana’s labour force, made up to 54 per cent of Gross Domestic Product and 40 per cent of export earnings.

The MCE stated that Government had boosted the agricultural sector to attain national food-self-sufficiency through its flagship programmes such as the planting for food and jobs among others

The Director of Agriculture of AEMA, Reverend Charles Asem-Bansah in his remarks said the department in the Assembly exist to assist in the implementation of policies and advise on matters related to agricultural development.

He said the Assembly had among other things  this year, conducted farmers census in the Municipality to identify and register farmers and set up a mushroom crop house to demonstrate mushroom production to farmers.

“By the end of the year the Department would have constructed a mushroom crop house and will train 10 youth in the municipality to equip them with mobile crop housed to go about their businesses,” he added.

A 36-year old farmer from Nima, Benard Larki, with 10 years experience, was adjudged the best farmer in the Municipality.

Mr Larki, a student at the University of Ghana, and an past student of the Adisadel College is into cultivation of cash crops, animal husbandry and aquaculture and has adopted integrated cultural practices to boost productivity.

He received a certificate, knapsack spraying machine, two cutlasses, a motorbike, fertilisers and weedicides as  his award .

Other farmers who were also presented with awards were, Mr Osman Issah, first runner up, Mr Isaac Teye Tetteh, best crop farmer, Mr. Mudalib Saani, best livestock farmer, Ms Sharonrachel Cobbina Brown, best youth farmer.

The best Agric Extension officer award was also presented to Mr Alexander Ansong Gyamfi.