"In fact, apart from what we lose as a country from eating what other countries grow, we are also doing a great disservice to our local farmers, who are our people", she said.

"There is no two ways about this. Let's motivate our farmers to grow more by eating what they grow" she said emphasising that that was a key foundation stone to Ghana's socio-economic development.

Oheneyere Akosua Asamoah II made the passionate appeal when she chaired a celebration at Boadi in the Oforikrom Municipality during this year's National Farmers Day, held on the theme: " Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, and Secure the Future".

Although the municipality has a vast swampy area of land, where most farmers were into vegetable farming, the queen mother regretted that many were now resorting to other means of livelihood because the vegetables they produce end up rotting in their farms for lack of buyers.

She was deeply disheartened, wondering how a developing nation such as Ghana could still import even vegetables such as onions, tomatoes and carrots.

Government's commitment

The Municipal Chief of Oforikrom, Anwel Sadat Ahmed, added his voice to the call of the queenmother, adding that it was for such a reason that the John Dramani-led government was continuously introducing cutting-edge technologies and adequate funding to help boost local farming and help sustain the nation's food basket, and possibly export excesses for foreign income.

"It is for this reason that the government, this year, launched the Feed Ghana Programme to help increase food production, create jobs and ensure food security", he reiterated.

Also speaking on the government's Backyard Poultry for Nutrition and Livelihood programme, popularly known as Nkoko Nketenkete, he said the programme was helping to boost chicken and egg production, improve household income and reduce importation.

The MCE, therefore, entreated farmers and other interested people to register and participate in the 'life-changing programme', adding that "the registered people would soon get their birds".

In attendance were the Member of Parliament for Oforikrom, Michael Aidoo, who, in a short remark, appealed to the government to invest in agriculture for its sustainability.

Awards

A 52-year-old Alhassan Musa Kpabi, a resident of Apimso, emerged the Best Farmer for the Municipality.

He received a tricycle, popularly known in Kumasi as Aboboyaa and some agricultural inputs.

Ten other farmers and institutions were also honoured and presented with prizes.

They are Asoyoo Adogdima as Best Livestock Farmer, Nana Osei Bonsu Richard, Best Crop Farmer; Sandra Lydia Osei, Best Agric Worker; Felicia Yaape, Best Woman Farmer, and Afia Sarpong, Best Differently Abled Farmer.

The rest are KNUST JHS, Best JHS in Practical Agriculture; St Louis Jubilee School, Best Primary School in Practical Agriculture; Ayine Akologo, Best Lettuce Farmer, and Job Abolga, Best Spring Onion Farmer.