In December each year, the nation gathers to celebrate and honour farmers for their contributions to the country’s development.
Farmers’ Day was first celebrated in 1985. It was introduced under the leadership of President Jerry John Rawlings and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government to honour the vital contribution of farmers and fishers to the country’s economy and food security. Since then, it has been observed annually on the first Friday of December.
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This year, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the celebration has received a huge boost. It is said to be the biggest reward ever given to Ghanaian farmers in the history of the National Farmers’ Day celebration.
Here is the full list of prizes:
Major Individual Awards & Prizes
| Category | Prize Package |
|---|---|
| Overall National Best Farmer | GH¢ 1.2 million cash (sponsored by Agricultural Development Bank — ADB), a brand-new tractor with implements (from Sino Machinery), a power tiller head with rotary accessories, motorised sprayers, assorted chemicals, Wellington boots, cutlasses, and other essential farm tools. |
| 1st Runner-Up National Best Farmer | A tractor with implements (sponsored by EXIM Bank), cash prize GH¢ 200,000, sprayers, and agrochemicals. |
| 2nd Runner-Up National Best Farmer | Tractor (sponsored by Stanbic Bank), GH¢ 100,000 cash, and a package of farm supplies. |
Special-Category Farmers (Livestock / Crop / Youth / Female / Differently-abled, etc.)
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For categories such as National Best Livestock Farmer, National Best Female Farmer, National Best Youth Farmer, and National Best Differently Abled Farmer, winners each received an Mk-22 Diesel 8-horsepower multifunctional tricycle (with a multifunctional thresher), GH¢ 200,000 cash, sprayers, chemicals, Wellington boots, and cutlasses.
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For crop-specific awards (e.g. National Best Tomato Farmer, National Best Onion Farmer), winners got tricycles, GH¢ 100,000 cash, irrigation kits, sprayers, and assorted farm chemicals.
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For poultry, the National Best Poultry Farmer got a tricycle, a motorbike (an “aboboyaa” motorcycle), GH¢ 200,000 cash, plus premium poultry feed and supplements.
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The National Best Youth in Poultry Farming was awarded a tricycle, ten poultry battery-cage systems, GH¢ 100,000 cash, feed supplies, sprayers, and chemicals.
Institutional, Schools & Cooperative Awards
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National Best Agricultural Extension Agent — awarded a motorcycle (Yamaha Crux Rev) + GH¢ 100,000 cash.
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Schools & Tertiary Institutions:
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National Best Primary School — mini-tractor with implements, a tricycle, farm tools, and a six-unit classroom block.
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National Best Junior High School — mini bus, tricycle, sprayers, tools, and a six-unit classroom block
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National Best Senior High School — Toyota Coaster Bus, cash prize, and farming tools.
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National Best University in Practical Agriculture — a tractor with implements (sponsored by Development Bank Ghana), plus sprayers, compost, and chemicals.
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Other Institutions
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National Best Faith-Based Organisation (in agriculture) — awarded an 85-horsepower tractor head + irrigation equipment.
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National Best Security Agency in Practical Agriculture — awarded a tractor head and farm inputs.
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National Best Community Commodity Farmer Cooperative — received a multifunctional tricycle; a 75-HP tractor with trailer and plough; three power tillers; and five transplanters (donated by the Government of Canada) — as a show of support for cooperative-driven mechanisation.
Award Categories (Types of Awards)
According to pre-event listing of award categories, the 41st National Farmers’ Day planned to honour across a wide range of categories including (but not limited to): Overall Best Farmer, 1st and 2nd Runner-Up Best Farmer; Best Livestock Farmer; Best Female Farmer; Best Physically Challenged Farmer; Best Cocoa Farmer; Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer; Best Enterprising Cocoa and Female Farmer; Best Crop Farmer; Best Coffee Farmer; Best Shea-Nut Picker; Fisher/Fisheries categories (marine, inland, fish processing); plus youth-, crop-, livestock-, fish-focused awards, etc.
