Mr. Samson Kofi Wiredu, a small-scale miner and transport operator was adjudged the overall best Livestock farmer at the 34th National farmers day awards ceremony in Amansie central district.
He took home knapsack sprayer, 4 cutlasses, one pair of Wellington boots and a bag of fertilizer as a prize for winning the best district livestock farmer of the year.
His 120 sheep fetched him the award.
Speaking to journalists after receiving his package, commended the officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture ( MOFA) for recognizing his works and his role in livestock production in the district.
Mr. Wiredu revealed that he conceived the idea to venture into active farming in 2015, after a series of engagement with experts.
“I ‘m a miner, but I have a great passion for farming, so have I resolved to find an alternative to complement the mining work, since the new government adhered strictly to laws and regulations”, he said.
Each year, mining strips some 28 billion tons of minerals from the earth. This is more than what is removed by the natural erosion of all the earth’s rivers.
The devastating effect of the mining on our environment and river bodies compelled the current administration to place a moratorium on mining in the country.
The ban enjoined him to reclaim his area of concession and has now converted the area into oil palm plantation and livestock farming.
He sees farming as a real business and has vowed to expand his tentacles to increase the economic benefits for all.
Mr. Wiredu is optimistic about becoming one of the national best farmers in the years to come.
Currently, he has 50 acres of oil palm plantation on his reclaimed mining concession at Bepotenten in the Amansie central district.
He used the occasion to appeal to chiefs to release land for agriculture purposes at the modest price for those aspiring to venture into active farming to feed the country and industries.
We need to find a better way in feeding the world and that depends largely on modern technologies and best agricultural practices, he said.
