Twenty five deserving farmers and agric extension officers were rewarded for their contribution to the development of agriculture in general in the Afigya Kwabre District of the Ashanti region. Nhyira FM’s Ohemeng Tawiah who attended the awards ceremony at Sweduru reports that the colourful and well organized ceremony attracted people from walks of life. The 25 award recipients were from ten communities in the district. Kyekyewere topped the list of award recipients, sweeping four awards followed by Tetrem and Amoako which picked two each. Awardees received spraying machines, radio sets, weedicides and cutlasses. The colourful event saw chiefs and traditional leaders in their beautiful Kente cloths and traditional outfits. The District Best Farmer, Jacob Akwasi Danso has been a runner up in three previous galas organized in the district. For his award, he received a 29 inch television set, bicycle, a box of weedicides and cutlasses. Other prizes include spraying machine, wax print, wellington boots, a radio set and certificate. Other award recipients were Ofori Frimpong Edward, Kwadwo Brefo and Mary Adumata who were adjudged Best Extension Officer, Best Cocoa Farmer and Best Woman Cocoa Farmer respectively. District Chief Executive for Afigya Kwabre, Kaakyeire Oppong-Kyekeyeku said the district has comparative advantage in maize, plantain, cassava, rice and other cash crops production and called on the youth in the area to take advantage. According to him, with the support of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the district has in this year alone cultivated 16 acres of maize at Kyekyewere out of a targeted 20 acres. Another 17 acres was also used to cultivate rice at Wawase. Mr. Oppong-Kyekyeku commended the chiefs in the two communities for voluntarily releasing land for the projects. He also commended the Wawase Roman Catholic Junior High School for beating several institutions including two senior high schools to win the Best institution in agriculture development award. The school, with revenue from the sale of produce from the school farm located on school premises supports sporting activities. It has over the years bought jerseys, footballs and met needs of the school as well as supporting needy but brilliant pupils with stipends. The Wawase Roman Catholic D/A Junior High School currently cultivates cowpea, cassava, maize and other crops on a seven-acre land, making it the best educational institution developing agriculture. Headteacher of the school, Emmanuel Adjei-Larbi received on behalf of the school, a ‘14inch colour TV, a box of weedicides, a spraying machine, cutlasses and a certificate. Story by: Ohemeng Tawiah/Nhyira Fm-Kumasi/Ghana