The Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Friday honoured seven past Ministers of the sector for their role in the development of agriculture in the country and the recognition of farmers through the Farmers' Day. They are: Dr Isaac K Adjei-Marfo (1985-1986), Mr. Ibrahim Issaka Adam (1986-1992), Commodore Steve George Obimpeh (Rtd) (1996-1997), Dr Kwabena Adjei (1997-1998), Mr Joseph H. Owusu-Acheampong (1998-2001), Major Courage E. K. Quashigah (Rtd) (2001-2005), Mr Ernest Akobour Debrah, (2005-2009). Dr Adjei-Marfo and Mr. Adam received one tractor each and the rest were given one refrigerator and one television set each for their hard work and efforts at raising the level of food production. Citations recognising the work of each one were read. Dr Adjei-Marfo said from a mere pair of Wellington boots and a cutlass as the award for the best farmer at the first Farmers' Day in 1985, the best farmer now receives a three-bedroom flat which is very encouraging and shows government's appreciation to the nation's gallant farmers. He said farmers were the most important economic group who were feeding the country with food and their efforts needed to be appreciated to let them feel that government recognized their work and needed them. Dr Adjei-Marfo said most farmers were illiterates and when they got to know that their work was being appreciated not only in the buying of the produce but as group they produced more. "If we have Labour Day, which is May 1 each year, why not a farmers' day since they are labourers with a difference because their work is very tedious?" he asked. The type of agriculture in the country, that is the use of cutlass and hoe, needed the strength of farmers, Dr Adjei-Marfo said, adding that we have gone into mechanised farming but the nature of the terrain did not favour that type of agriculture in all regions, due to the forest except in the northern part where mechanised farming could well be carried out easily. He said a number of educated people were entering into farming which was good because the cutlass farmer cannot compete with mechanised farmers due to the unit size of production. He commended the government for paying attention to fish farming and expressed gratitude that the Executive recognised the efforts of the Ministers. He urged the present leadership to follow their footsteps and continue to increase production. Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said this year, there had been an increase in the production of maize, rice, groundnut, sorghum, and soya beans and attributed it to good rainfall. He said with the increase in food production efforts were being made to rehabilitate the food distribution silos and added that a buffer stock market was in operation. Source: GNA