A 60-year-old farmer, James Obeng Boateng, from the Brong Ahafo region has been adjudged the 2018 National Best Farmer at a ceremony held in the Northern regional capital, Tamale.

Mr. Boateng from the Nkoranza South district of the region has been farming for the past 18 years, producing cassava, cocoyam, cereals, okro, pepper, garden eggs, mango and cashew.

The father of six also rears cattle, goats, sheep and manages two fish ponds as well as 100 boxes of beehives.

The national award comes with a ¢480,000 cheque, a huge improvement from the events first edition in 1985 where the winner took home cutlasses.

Mr. Obeng Boateng had his cheque presented to him by the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the events 34^th edition.

In a citation, the overall best farmer was described as a philanthropist helping to renovate teachers’ bungalows in the district.

He is also a former 1^st Runner-Up at the awards organised in the Nkoranza district of the Brong Ahafo region.

Mr. Obeng Boateng takes over from Philip Kweku Agyeman who won the 33^rd edition in 2017 and also hails from the Brong Ahafo region.

It means Brong Ahafo region retains the national award.

A farmer from the Central region, Charity Akotia, was also adjudged the 1^st Runner-Up while Alex Frimpong who farms in the Kwahu Afram Plains of the Eastern region took the 2^nd Runner-Up position.