The 2021 National Best Farmer, Alhaji Mashud Mohammed has encouraged young people to venture into agriculture because it is lucrative.

Speaking at a ceremony to climax the 2021 Farmers' Day Celebration in Cape Coast, Mashud Mohammed touted the gains of farming for the individual, community and the nation as a whole.

According to him, the youth should therefore not abandon the occupation to only the aged and elderly.

"I want to see so many youth coming into agriculture. Looking at things, it looks like farming is being left to only the aged or people who have retired. I will invite young people to venture into farming because farming is very profitable", Alhaji Mashud Mohammed urged.

Reacting to concerns about the huge financial capital required to venture into farming, Alhaji Mashud inidcated that, there's no need for fresh entrants to have lofty expectations from the scratch.

Recounting his experience, the National Best Farmer disclosed that he started on a comparatively smaller scale until he had the means to expand his scope. He therefore encouraged new entrants to be measured about their expectations from the start and focus on working hard.

"Well, I started with four acres. I started with four acres and then I groomed it. What I'll urge people to do is that don't be in haste to develop. Development is a process. So you start with four acres, you graduate to ten acres, twenty acres and then that way. I started farming for the past fifteen years. And this is where I am today", Mashud Mohammed explained.

The 2021 National Best Farmer also expressed his gratitude for the honour and emphasised his resolve to do more in the years ahead.

44-year old Alhaji Mashud Mohammed was adjudged the National Best Farmer for 2021 on Friday, December 3, taking over from Solomon Kwadwo Kusi who took the award last year.

Alhaji Mashud Mohammed, from the Mion District of the Northern Region, received GH₵600,000 from the Agricultural Development Bank, 500,000 worth of insurance cover from GLICO Insurance, and a study trip to Israel sponsored by Broadspectrum Limited. He also received an offer of a two-bed room flat at any location of his choice in the country.

The First Runner-up position went to Suleman Yidana, from the North East Region. Suleman Yidana took home a tractor, trailer, Disc Plough, a Boom Sprayer, and 300,000 worth of insurance cover by GLICO Insurance as well as a study trip to Israel.

The Second Runner-up position went to Reverend Samuel Sida from the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region who received a Nissan Navara Double Cabin Pick-Up and 200,000 worth of insurance cover from GLICO Insurance.

This year’s event was held at the Adisadel College Park on the theme “Planting for Food and Jobs-Consolidating Food Systems in Ghana.” The day recognises the contributions of farmers and fisherfolks to Ghana’s socio-economic development.

In all, a total of 165 farmers and fishermen were awarded at the ceremony. Mr Kweku Ehun from Gomoa West Central also made away with the Best Fisherman slot and will have a two-bedroom house built at his preferred location.