Nana Owusu Achiaw Bempong from the Sekyere Central District in the Ashanti Region has been adjudged the National Best Farmer for 2024.
The 70-year-old man who has been farming for 50 years was bestowed with the honour at a dinner held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Friday, November 8.
He was awarded GH¢1 million along with other prizes, in acknowledgment of his outstanding achievements in farming and significant impact on the agricultural sector.
His farm, North American Farms, employs 168 workers comprising 18 full-time employees, 150 casual employees, and 6 others assisting family members.
Nana’s farm is highly diversified with his crop enterprises covering the broad areas of roots and tubers, cereals, maize, vegetables, plantation crops, timber species and pulses.
He also has large ruminants, small ruminants, exotic and local poultry, and fish ponds, among others.
He previously won the National Best Irrigation Farmer in 2020, Ashanti Regional Best Farmer in 2018 and District Best Farmer in 2023.
While accepting the prestigious award, Nana Owusu Achiaw called for increased investment in local agriculture to reduce the country’s dependence on food imports and ensure self-sufficiency.
“We must prioritise local production if we are to safeguard our food security and grow our economy,” he said.
In his speech at the award gala, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced an increase in the producer price of cocoa for the 2024/2025 crop season.
The price has been raised from GH₵3,000 to GH₵3,100 per 64kg bag.
He also stressed that the adjustment forms part of efforts to ensure farmers’ incomes are protected amidst challenging conditions in their line of work.
“I have directed the Minister for Agriculture to ensure regular price adjustments that reflect global market trends and the realities on the ground,” he stated.