President Akufo-Addo together with Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto (right), the Minister of Food and Agriculture, and Mrs Elizabeth Afoley Quaye (2nd left), the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, presenting the overall National Best Farmer award to Mr Solomon Kojo Kusi A fifty-year-old livestock and multi-crop farmer from the Jomoro District in the Western Region, Mr Solomon Kojo Kusi, has emerged the 2020 National Best Farmer.
"It started as a hobby 10 years ago and later developed into a passion and then business and now here I am with the ultimate National Best Farmer Award," an elated Mr Kusi told the Daily Graphic in an exclusive interview on the occasion of the 36th National Farmers Day held in Techiman in the Bono East Region yesterday. PEGAS RANA MOTTORS The proud award winner, who is a secondary school leaver, beamed with smiles as his achievements in farming were announced.
When he was called to step forward for his award, a smiling proud receipient walked gracefully to the dais to receive his prize; a sash and a cheque for GH¢570,000, which is the equivalent of $100,000 – a sponsorship from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo decorated Mr Kusi with the sash with the help of the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto; the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, and the Managing Director of ADB, Dr John Kofi Mensah. He also presented the 2020 National Best Farmer with his cheque, after which the 2019 National Best Farmer, Mr Charles Gyamfi, handed over the sword of office to the award winner.
The 2020 National Best Farmer and father of nine told the Daily Graphic that he had never regretted quitting his job as a taxi driver to go into buying and selling rice, and engaging in farming.
Asked if he ever dreamt of becoming the National Best Farmer one day, Mr Kusi said: "I challenged myself in 2012 to get to this level and I have never looked back ever since but worked hard towards achieving this goal."
Farming ventures
The 2020 National Best Farmer owns 720 acres of rubber plantation, 380 acres of cocoa farm, 250 acres of coconut, 180 acres of oil palm, 10 acres of cassava, 75 acres of plantain, 35 acres of maize, five acres of garden eggs, five acres of okra and 10 acres of pepper.
He also […]