Reverend Nhyeraba Livingston, a 62-year-old head pastor of the Rivers of Life Church at Gomoa-Akropong in the Gomoa West District, has been crowned as Central Region’s Best Farmer at the 41st Farmers Day celebration at Assin Fosu.

The farmers were celebrated under the theme: “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”

More than just a spiritual leader, Rev. Livingston who has 21 children, is also an accomplished Engineer and a dedicated mixed farmer with 22 years of experience.

Rev. Livingston shocked many with his display of incredible farm produce displayed at the Fosu College of Education School Park, supported by 200 workers, including 20 casual employees.

Having hosted the event in 2015, the awe-inspiring achievement was celebrated in an atmosphere of rich cultural displays, tradition, and reverence, surrounded by the dignified presence of traditional chiefs, religious leaders and school children.

The event sparkled with an abundant display of the region’s finest array of food produce that stood as a testament to the dedication of local farmers.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to agriculture, Rev Livingston was honoured with a suite of valuable prizes. including a certificate of excellence, a deep freezer, a 43-inch television, a sturdy wheelbarrow, a versatile mix blower, safety boots, knapsacks, a tricycle and essential agrochemicals.

Impressively, Rev. Livingston had balanced his prodigious farming success with a rich family life, being a husband and father to 21 children.

His story of exemplified hard work, faith and community impact highlighted the theme, “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”

Alongside Rev. Livingston were keen competitors, Mr Jonathan Addo from Ntakworfa in the Cape Coast Metropolis and Mr Emmanuel Fiifi Peters from Gomoa Brofo in the Gomoa West District, who also received the same items except the tricycle.

The Best Department of Agriculture went to Assin Fosu, while Mr Joseph Tettey Kwao from Awutu Bowjiase in the Awutu Senya District won the Best Extension Officer, with the Direct-Aid Society, an NGO from Ayensudo in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality taking the award for being the Best Faith-Based Organisation in Agriculture.

In the school categories, New Odonase Catholic primary School in the AON won the best primary School in Agriculture, with the Cape Coast School for the Death and Winneba Senior High School winning the best for the Junior High and Senior High levels respectively.

For other individual awards, Mr Augustine Deborah from Assin Fosu was adjudged as the best youth farmer, with Madam Charlotte Adu from Effutu in Cape Coast winning the best female farmer position, while Madam Ekua Hawa from Srafo number Two in Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese won the Regional Best Differently Abled Farmer.

For the fisheries subsector, Mr Stephen Kofi Abekah from Agona Duakwa in the Agona West District took the prize for the overall regional best fisher, whilst Mr Williams Kwesi Billy Duncan in Elmina, Mr Anthony Blankson and Madam Esi Adadzeoa were adjusted the overall best fisher, marine fisher and processor respectively.

Rev. Livingston in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after the programme underscored the urgency of building resilient local food systems, encouraging the consumption of home-grown produce, and safeguarding Ghana’s food sovereignty against import dependence.

He encouraged the youth to venture into farming as a viable means of survival and cited how he had relocated from his stink in UK to engage in full farming.

Earlier, Mr Eduamoah Ekow Payin Okyere, the Central Regional Minister, admonished traditional authorities and family heads against selling their farmland to illegal miners.

He said the fight against illegal mining remained a national call to duty, requiring concerted efforts by all to stop it.

Dr Peter Omega, the Central Regional Director of Agriculture, emphasised the need for a comprehensive strategy to promote the consumption of locally grown food to enhance food availability, nutrition security and reduce reliance on imports.

He said homemade agricultural products were of high quality, affordable and hygienically packaged, urging everyone, not just experts to help cultivate a lasting preference for Ghanaian food.

Dr Omega proposed smart land use planning, agricultural land development and research to tackle soil infertility, pests, diseases and climate challenges.

He also stressed the importance of infrastructure improvements, market regulation, food safety and delivering timely weather and financial information to farmers and fishers to sustain growth and build resilience.

Mr Baba Gariba, the Fosu Municipal Chief Executive highlighted agriculture as vital for livelihoods in the area and praised progress in rice production with the “Central Rice” factory and the Feed Ghana programme that had registered over 13,000 farmers.

Okumanim Baffour Asare Kyahene II, the Omanhen of Efutuakwa Traditional Area, expressed gratitude to the government for hosting Farmer’s Day in Assin Fosu and urged Ghanaians to embrace local foods to empower farmers and boost economic development.